Who would like to abolish the BBC Licence fee?

[xenon]

Srs answer. General taxation firmly embodies a notional state broadcaster in the political relm. Tied to the whim of the govt of the day.

The current situation with particular regard to it’s enforcement and prophligacy is untenable.

Subscribetion and tax on viewing equipment maybe.

 

[eoin_k]

...

 

[mauvais]

That’s doesn’t really change the fact that as a consumer, the BBC’s offering comes across as incredibly poor value. If I was offered a choice, it isn’t the BBC I’d be spending my subscription money on.

It's not comparable with the private offerings though either, because they don't typically include the entire package: international/national/local news and sports reportage, commissioning, radio, childrens' entertainment, the whole web estate, non-English channels like S4C, a bunch of orchestras, etc.

The closest thing to that isn't Netflix, it's Sky, and Sky costs the subscriber a fucking fortune.

 

[hash tag]

This just hit my in box

 

[Saul Goodman]

This just hit my in boxView attachment 174013

How will not watching BBC for one day affect the BBC in any way? They already have your money, and have no advertisers to keep happy.

 

[hash tag]

Go away. If it's not one thread, it's another.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Go away. If it's not one thread, it's another.

It was a serious question. Not knowing the answer is not a reason to be a dick.

 

[The39thStep]

Worth looking at other countries who don't have license funding for state TV to see if there's anything to learn .

 

[weltweit]

Worth looking at other countries who don't have license funding for state TV to see if there's anything to learn .

I don't think Spain have a licence fee. Their TV is awful, ad breaks are as long as the programs.

 

[gentlegreen]

I believe if I move to France, I will be obliged to pay 121 EU ... by all accounts even holiday home owners have to pay - it's taken with the property tax so unless you're legally resident but too poor to pay that, you can't duck out of it.

France Television Licence Payment and Exemptions

Perhaps I'll think of it as payment for their excellent radio.

 

[PursuedByBears]

Perhaps I'll think of it as payment for their excellent radio.

That is how I think of the BBC's license fee. I almost never watch BBC TV but regularly listen to radio programmes via the BBC Sounds app. I wouldn't want the radio provision to be affected by any cuts to funding.

 

[D'wards]

Those who like the radio should check out bbc4 on Friday nights. Superb music programmes

 

[hash tag]

There is also lots of good music stuff on the iplayer, Inc. Glastonbury clips. I expect they will show a lot of this year's Glastonbury, hopefully with Jo Wiley back in the chair.

 

[PursuedByBears]

Those who like the radio should check out bbc4 on Friday nights. Superb music programmes

This is basically all I watch on BBC!

 

[D'wards]

This is basically all I watch on BBC!

Yacht Rock this week

 

[hash tag]

Have they really got the webcam going already? Glastonbury Webcam

 

[klang]

...

I too saw that arts programme about the 3 point perspective on the iplayer, but no, I don't think it was worth the licensing fee.

 

[cupid_stunt]

There is also lots of good music stuff on the iplayer, Inc. Glastonbury clips. I expect they will show a lot of this year's Glastonbury, hopefully with Jo Wiley back in the chair.

For interest to Glastonbury fans, that haven't got tickets -
BBC Radio Glastonbury to provide festival coverage on Sounds

 

[hash tag]

It's OK, Ben will take care of it. Sorted

BBC News - Free TV licences cannot be saved with cuts to salaries, says BBC
Cuts to stars' pay 'cannot save free TV licence'

 

[weltweit]

There is the begining of a debate on the licence.

Initially it is about whether it should be a criminal offence not to pay the licence fee. More accurate I think is if it should be a criminal offence not to pay the fine that the magistrates court will put on you.

But basically should people not paying the BBC licence fee end up in prison?

Wouldn't it be better if the BBC was funded by direct taxation, paid directly without any political interference?

 

[Azrael]

There is the begining of a debate on the licence.

Initially it is about whether it should be a criminal offence not to pay the licence fee. More accurate I think is if it should be a criminal offence not to pay the fine that the magistrates court will put on you.

But basically should people not paying the BBC licence fee end up in prison?

Wouldn't it be better if the BBC was funded by direct taxation, paid directly without any political interference?

Ringfencing direct taxation's much more equitable than a regressive tax on anyone who uses a TV to receive broadcasts, and the Beeb's supine behaviour over the last few years surely nixes any arguments about the license granting independence.

If nothing else, non-payment shouldn't be a crime. Evasion doesn't come close to meeting the threshold of a general wrong to society, and practically speaking, prosecution falls hardest on the most vulnerable, and there's a disturbing gender imbalance of those dragged through the courts.

Worst of all, there's an inversion of justice, since it's nearly impossible to successfully prosecute dedicated and clued-up evaders, who make a game of toying with "goons," know search warrant procedure better than most lawyers, and never incriminate themselves. When the most guilty are spared and the innocent and hapless are snared, repeal's long overdue.

 

[DexterTCN]

...Wouldn't it be better if the BBC was funded by direct taxation, paid directly without any political interference?

I boycott the bbc, as do many others. Fuck paying for it by tax.

 

[Azrael]

I boycott the bbc, as do many others. Fuck paying for it by tax.

Would you feel the same about a stripped-down BBC, on the scale of America's PBS? Basically the radio stations and BBC Four (perhaps accompanied by a relaunched Three).

Current news operation disbanded and any commercial operations hived off into a subscription service. The BBC repeatedly claim their offerings are great value for money that the public are happy to pay for. Well fine: strip out compulsion and put it to the test.

 

[PursuedByBears]

Would you feel the same about a stripped-down BBC, on the scale of America's PBS? Basically the radio stations and BBC Four (perhaps accompanied by a relaunched Three).

Current news operation disbanded and any commercial operations hived off into a subscription service. The BBC repeatedly claim their offerings are great value for money that the public are happy to pay for. Well fine: strip out compulsion and put it to the test.

Sounds perfect.

 

[DexterTCN]

Would you feel the same about a stripped-down BBC, on the scale of America's PBS? Basically the radio stations and BBC Four (perhaps accompanied by a relaunched Three).

Current news operation disbanded and any commercial operations hived off into a subscription service. The BBC repeatedly claim their offerings are great value for money that the public are happy to pay for. Well fine: strip out compulsion and put it to the test.

Ever hear the word thrawn?

(omg we have a saltire gif)

 

[Azrael]

Aye!

 

[editor]

I don't want to pay but then I don't want fucking shit advert-laden US style radio or TV. So on balance, I'll reluctantly pay, but will consider not doing so if the BBC continue to be Tory arselickers.

 

[mx wcfc]

I boycott the bbc, as do many others. Fuck paying for it by tax.

I hate adverts on telly. I listen to bbc radio a lot and the BBC’s telly output is pretty bloody good. Compared to what Mrs mx pays for Amazon telly and Netflix the other stuff I think it is fecking good value. All flat rate taxes are bad but the alternative to the licence fee is adverts. Bollocks to that. The main opposition to the licence fee are evil old ladies who read the daily mail. Bugger them.
(Actually, no, that would be fairly unpleasant)

 

[cupid_stunt]

I don't want to pay but then I don't want fucking shit advert-laden US style radio or TV. So on balance, I'll reluctantly pay, but will consider not doing so if the BBC continue to be Tory arselickers.

And, yet it's a Tory government threatening their future for being anti-Tory.

 

[Azrael]

Few programmes I still record I fast-forward the ads, so admit I'm not bothered by 'em. Mostly just stream these days. Most recent BBC drama I really enjoyed was Gentleman Jack, which, being an HBO co-production, was BBC in name only.

Hutton ensured the BBC would in future be arselickers to the government of the day. Sure there's a market for their sycophancy, but equally sure it's a lot smaller than they imagine.