Scrap the BBC License Fee

Probably both, Bruce.

Crazy Frog on the BBC? I think not!

The strange thing is that almost no-one, including the licence fee's staunchest supporters like myself, would argue that it's actually a good and/or fair system. It's simply widely acknowledged by educated folk as being the least-worst.

Let's consider its alternatives.

Advertising? Where does the money come from? Do the advertisers who spend hundreds of millions of pounds on ITV advertising suddenly find they can find as much again to spend? I think not.

Subscription? What goes subscription, exactly? What happens to FTA radio channels? BBC Online? And who pays for all the boxes everyone'd need to subscribe?

This subscription point of course completely ignores that you create a have and have-not in broadcasting that is so fundamental it would not be tolerated.

Both these points have much larger arguments attached; this perhaps isn't the place for a lengthy essay.

Do you (topic-starter) have a good alternative to the licence fee that's viable immediately? If so, please do tell us. The government would love to hear it as well.

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In my opinion, while the TV Licence Fee does provide value for money with regards to the many channels and services
offered by the BBC, I think it's unfair have to pay a compulsory annual fee, to be able to legally own any TV reception
equipment, when BBC channels and services aren't the only things you can recieve on said equipment

Especially when non-payment (aka licence evasion) is punishable either by a very large fine or by imprisonment.

I think that by the time the analog switch off is finalized all TV signals are available via digital only, a TV Licence Fee
solely for funding the BBC channels and services only, when so many (possible hundreds) other non-BBC owned
services will be available for everyone to recieve, will be effectively become an obsolete and outdated tax.
The BBC will then have to try and find some other way of obtaining it's necessary funding.

Until that time eventually comes, the TV Licence Fee has to stay, because at the moment, (the way I see it at
least), there is currently no realistic method anyone can suggest as an alternative way of funding the BBC.

The BBC is one of the greatest british creations in history. BBC online especially is excellent. But even if I had never seen or heard a BBC programme I would know its a good thing. How? Kelvin Mackenzie hates it.

Yes, but I dont use them, and it shouldnt be forced on you. Thats my point. If you all on here are too thick in the head, then I shall rest it here.

Not everyone uses the NHS. But you wont be getting a discount any time soon.

I find it hard to beleive that you don't use ANY of the BBC's services, and what a bargain it is 33p a day for all thoses services. I'm sure you love the high quality output that is ITV

And adding to the point that Adam posted - you pay for schools whether you have kids or not, likewise public transport and the NHS.

I've highlighted the ones I may use during the week...

BBC ONE
BBC TWO
BBC THREE
BBC FOUR
BBC News 24
BBC Parliament
BBCi
CBBC Channel
CBeebies
Radio 1
Radio 2 Radio 3
Radio 4
Radio Five Live
Radio Five Live Sports Extra
BBC Six Music
BBC Seven
BBC Asian Network
NationalRegional Television and Radio Services
BBC.co.uk

It seems a lot of the 33p a day is wasted for the average person!

Does the BBC really need to have all those services? I mean, people in Wales get a raw deal, because England has all those cosy little BBC radio stations, whereas in Wales we just get BBC Radio Wales which is a complete joke. It's nothing more than a bit of pocket money for the famous faces of BBC Wales TV.

To be fair (and a little more accurate), it seems that a lot of the 33p a day is wasted for you , although three national television stations, a 24 hour rolling news channel, the most listened to national radio station and one of the world's most comprehensive news and media websites still isn't bad for 33p a day...!