captainhelix
Active member
I think they should have different rates (if they are going to charge which I disagree with)
So if you only use iplayer like I do it should be less
So if you only use iplayer like I do it should be less
- Notice
I think they shouldn't have kept growing just because they could. They have 10 channels now and I think they would be better going back to 2. Anything remotely high brow isn't on BBC 2 anymore and gets shifted to bbc4 where no one watches.
No need for them to do rolling news and that eats up a shit load of money, with the internet and smart phones there's less of a need for it.
Radio 4 should be saved, but the rest of radio I don't have any issues with being sold off or going commercial. BBC local radio probably has more people working on it than listening to each station. It's a nice idea but really doesn't make any sense to run so many local radio stations.
The BBC website is expansive and takes away from content that the commercial sector can do.
I think there's definitely a place for a state broadcaster a few TV channels, radio stations and website but it's crazy that to watch live sport on Amazon prime you need a licence.
I'd cut the budget to something like £30-40 a tax payer and just take it out of general taxation. I haven't paid for it in years and the people that do are dying off so they need to do something.
No need for them to do rolling news and that eats up a shit load of money, with the internet and smart phones there's less of a need for it.
Radio 4 should be saved, but the rest of radio I don't have any issues with being sold off or going commercial. BBC local radio probably has more people working on it than listening to each station. It's a nice idea but really doesn't make any sense to run so many local radio stations.
The BBC website is expansive and takes away from content that the commercial sector can do.
I think there's definitely a place for a state broadcaster a few TV channels, radio stations and website but it's crazy that to watch live sport on Amazon prime you need a licence.
I'd cut the budget to something like £30-40 a tax payer and just take it out of general taxation. I haven't paid for it in years and the people that do are dying off so they need to do something.
Deepsigh2018
VIP Member
I begrudge paying a licence fee especially as I rarely watch/read/listen to many bbc products. The fact that not paying it could result in legal action I find ridiculous. As time is going on the bbc is becoming less relevant. My eldest son doesn't even watch live tv. I think they should scale back and move with the times now.
I know that those that are for tv licence talk about how the bbc give impartial reliable news but the way the world works now the bbc are not many peoples first port of call for news.
I know that those that are for tv licence talk about how the bbc give impartial reliable news but the way the world works now the bbc are not many peoples first port of call for news.
Coconutbug
Well-known member
So frustrating to pay £14 a month for something I barely use. Tbh I think they should just sack it off completely, no other channel makes us pay 
If they have to start advertising so be it. I think so many people watch stuff on demand/Netflix etc that it will be extinct soon.
If they have to start advertising so be it. I think so many people watch stuff on demand/Netflix etc that it will be extinct soon.
SeekerQuant
New member
I want to have a choice. Just like there are choices to subscribe to Netflix or Apple Tv or Amazon Prime and many others. It should be made subscription based. There weeks where I only watch Youtube. Why should I still pay for the BBC? I think it's time for them to adapt.
Moe
VIP Member
I give it 20 years max the younger generation are not watching it and no way will they pay this ridiculous fee. BBC say they pay the wages according to other channel pay rates well good luck luvies your days are numbered. I’ve watched a few shows the last few years ie Killing Eve and I used to enjoy the Archers but I’ve decided this year come November I won’t pay this compulsory tax anymore.
Bizarrebbq
Active member
They only way you’ll get prosecuted is if they enter your property and physically see you watching live TV without a tv licence. I’ve not had one for 4 years.
Orange Creme
VIP Member
I recently read that there are no such things as tv license vans and it's all a PR stunt to scare us into paying!
Margesimpson
Active member
I cancelled my license- I have Netflix and occasionally now tv. I did my homework and spoke to them when I cancelled- I’m not allowed to watch live tv or the bbc iplayer (which I don’t do either) I unplugged my freeview box and the tv upstairs has no aerial- even if I wanted to plug the downstairs one in it’s a pain in the arse as would have to move furniture. I can still watch on demand in itv, 4 and my 5 players. The only time I even watch those is Christmas films on 5. This works for my family as can’t remember the last time there was something I wanted to watch on actual tele- I read the guide every week at my Nana’s lol but never anything that I think ooh I want to watch that x
LittleMy
VIP Member
I don’t watch any BBC or live TV so it’s immaterial to me as I don’t need one. I do believe they should scrap it though, it’s an outdated concept. Scale it back first I’d say, there are still elderly people who may not understand the idea of subscribing and fear change, who will rely on the BBC for their news and regular entertainment. I think through time it will eventually change to a subscription service though. I think it’s bloody ridiculous the amount people are expected to pay annually for the crap they serve up. I haven’t paid for one in about 4 years.
So many people i've asked don't have one. I have always thought I can't risk a fine. But same as you we rarely watch live tv. So have cancelled!I have recently cancelled my direct debit for the tv license! I never used to mind paying for it with the view that my paying for it covered the cost of an oap’s license. Then they talked about making everyone pay for it so I decided I’d had enough! No one in our house watches regular tv and we haven’t had an aerial hooked up for at least a couple of years! We watch netflix, amazon prime, channel 4 app and the itv app for dancing on iceI did get a letter through asking me to register online saying I don’t watch it etc but tbh I think that’s just to get your email address in case you try and watch iplayer so I didn’t do it!
Itsmethatlikesamoan
VIP Member
ditto we cancelled ours about 3 years ago
these days they don’t bother as its very hard to establish who’s watching what ... what with Netflix, Amazon Prime etc etc they have to prove your watching BBC or live tv which is virtually impossible unless they step into your property... but you are quite within your rights to refuse them entry.
Buy.this.tat
Member
I have recently cancelled my direct debit for the tv license! I never used to mind paying for it with the view that my paying for it covered the cost of an oap’s license. Then they talked about making everyone pay for it so I decided I’d had enough! No one in our house watches regular tv and we haven’t had an aerial hooked up for at least a couple of years! We watch netflix, amazon prime, channel 4 app and the itv app for dancing on ice
I did get a letter through asking me to register online saying I don’t watch it etc but tbh I think that’s just to get your email address in case you try and watch iplayer so I didn’t do it!
coconochanel
VIP Member
I think they should cut it back to £50 a year because lets be honest 90% of the shows are repeats even at Christmas it was absolute shit apart from Gavin & Stacey. As for online content its not fair to make everyone pay for that when most old people don't go online. They need to listen to the viewers and see what they want, the other day there were reports they were thinking of scrapping cbeebies! I mean come on all kids watch that. 
My dad did get in trouble for not having one, so it can happen - someone came to the door and found his lodger watching who had no idea. He had to go to court even I think... however I don’t know how he was caught, probably a lucky punt seeing his household hadn’t paid rather than a damn Stasi van outside as they used to imply in those ads ... and this was like 2004.
LeoPride
New member
The BBC mostly likely has a few years left before all funding is cut. It’s served it’s purpose but as we move into a more digital future .. having a service like the bbc becomes redundant.
I’m sure if they introduce adverts into their programs the money they would rack in alone would be a good substitute to paying the TV license.
Their Online News Business however is fantastic .. I’d pay for that.
I’m sure if they introduce adverts into their programs the money they would rack in alone would be a good substitute to paying the TV license.
Their Online News Business however is fantastic .. I’d pay for that.
I wouldn’t mind paying if I used it.
to be fair I don’t have one. I don’t watch live TV. I had one when I still lived with my ex (only moved out a few months ago) but we literally never used it so I didnt see the point. My kids watched CBeebies but they’ll happily watch stuff on Netflix/Amazon so I wasn’t paying it just so they could watch Mr Tumble (who drives me mad).
to be fair I don’t have one. I don’t watch live TV. I had one when I still lived with my ex (only moved out a few months ago) but we literally never used it so I didnt see the point. My kids watched CBeebies but they’ll happily watch stuff on Netflix/Amazon so I wasn’t paying it just so they could watch Mr Tumble (who drives me mad).
I do think in the world of streaming and subscription services the bbc has no choice but to adapt somewhat. Not doing so will only make them seem even more out of touch and dogmatic.
But I say that as an ardent supporter of the bbc. I think they need to show younger generations what makes them separate, and often superior, to the other options. How unique not relying on corporate sponsorship is and how it makes their content richer for it - both in length due to no breaks but also in being able to avoid conflicts of interest.
I’m not completely blind to the fact that it’s far from always the case and what I’ve described is more a utopia for what the bbc SHOULD be. And sometimes it really is - and I think they should be striving to be better. Of course corporate interests do play an increasingly large role, it’s clear. It would be exciting to have a director general more interested in culture, news etc than money. I continue to wait.
Local radio is a tough one. I think they would be heavily criticised if they scaled it down, because that stuff is important to the small audiences they go out to. It’s a way of making use of the tremendous resources they have to connect the most remote parts of the world. And of showing that it’s not just serving the interests of a ‘metropolitan elite ‘ - the licence fee allows them to do this small scale local stuff in a way other broadcaster could even dream of. Internationally, I think it’s pretty special that you can pick up the world service almost anywhere and that they have local offices literally all over the world. It gives them the edge when reporting on stories not based in the ‘usual’ places , having correspondents at least relatively local, who understand a place, it’s society and culture...
Oh I have more to say but I’ll save it for now.
But I say that as an ardent supporter of the bbc. I think they need to show younger generations what makes them separate, and often superior, to the other options. How unique not relying on corporate sponsorship is and how it makes their content richer for it - both in length due to no breaks but also in being able to avoid conflicts of interest.
I’m not completely blind to the fact that it’s far from always the case and what I’ve described is more a utopia for what the bbc SHOULD be. And sometimes it really is - and I think they should be striving to be better. Of course corporate interests do play an increasingly large role, it’s clear. It would be exciting to have a director general more interested in culture, news etc than money. I continue to wait.
Local radio is a tough one. I think they would be heavily criticised if they scaled it down, because that stuff is important to the small audiences they go out to. It’s a way of making use of the tremendous resources they have to connect the most remote parts of the world. And of showing that it’s not just serving the interests of a ‘metropolitan elite ‘ - the licence fee allows them to do this small scale local stuff in a way other broadcaster could even dream of. Internationally, I think it’s pretty special that you can pick up the world service almost anywhere and that they have local offices literally all over the world. It gives them the edge when reporting on stories not based in the ‘usual’ places , having correspondents at least relatively local, who understand a place, it’s society and culture...
Oh I have more to say but I’ll save it for now.