TV Home Forum

Scrap the BBC License Fee

(June 2005)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
MS
msim
I T V 1 posted:
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.


So because people dont agree with you and have offerered an alternative viewpoint, you immediatly brand them as 'thick in the head' - how very matutre of you!

If you want to form an arguement for the abloition of the BBC at least provide some valid and intelligent arguements instead of the ridicululous I dont use them so why should I pay for them statement. I seriously doubt you dont use any BBC service. In my view, BBC news online is worth 33p a day in itself when you compare it to the lackluster efforts of the commercial broadcasters! What would you like to see the licence fee replaced with? If funded by advertising, you will almost immediatly see a reduction in quality on ITV (moreso), Ch4 would find it difficult to make much of a profit at all, and five and many of the FTA digital channels would probably go under. There is only a finite amount of money in the advertising pot. Subscription is another choice, but who is going to pay for the introduction of new digital recievers that have slots for cards? There are over 5 million freeview boxes out there - do you expect everyone to have to go out and buy a new subscription compatible box so soon after lashing out £50 for a freeview box? As has been posted before, no-one likes to have to pay the licence fee, but then again, I dont want to pay for the NHS, public transport, education costs for other peoples kids but I do because its called living in a society where everyone pays a little for the benefit of the country as a whole! The licence fee isnt ideal, but until someone comes up with a better alternative its here to stay (at least another 10yrs!). Lets hear your suggestions since you feel so passionate about the subject.

By the way, that second website you linked to made fun reading - when was that written? Isnt it such a drag having to pay for BBC Choice - a channel that doesn't even exist any more! Its such a pain having to actually BUY a BBC DVD since we paid for the programme in the first place - of course, it doesnt cost anything to print and market the DVDs does it? ITV can justify its existence because of 'Oliver Twist' - hooray for them! Clearly you havent seen ITVs recent output have you? Oh, and since when have the commercial channels been 'free'? Last time I checked, they were funded by advertisers, and where do they get their money from? Yes, thats right, every week when we buy their products at inflated prices to pay for their adverts!
LO
Londoner
msim posted:
In my view, BBC news online is worth 33p a day in itself when you compare it to the lackluster efforts of the commercial broadcasters!

Although they would argue that [what they perceive to be] the BBC's "unfair" position has stifled the market for commercially-funded comprehensive online news in the UK. ITN has certainly made representations about it to official bodies on a number of occasions.
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
I T V 1 posted:
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.


Don't patronise us you numbskull. You don't pay so you don't get a say.
TV
tvarksouthwest
Sorry - but I can't sign. For the simple reason that without the license fee, the BBC would fast become commercially-driven (some might say it is already) and we'd lose the one broadcaster committed to providing quality, public service programming.

However I would support a petition calling for the license to become means-tested and linked to ability to pay.
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
Get a job.
PC
Paul Clark
I T V 1 posted:
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.


I see your point, but calling everyone here "thick in the head" does nothing to support your argument - you'll probably just lose credibility.
GE
gerryuk
Srap the licence now!

BBC 1= Adverts or subscription
BBC 2= Paid for from goverment grant. The channel will have to have a set number of hours per week for news, religion, education and kids programmes etc.
BBC 3= Paid for by advets or subscription.
BBC 4= As bbc3.

Radio 1,2,3 and local radio paid for by adverts.
Radio 4 = As BBC2, paid for by goverment grant, again set number of hours for news, religion, education ect each week.

Sending old age grannys and single mums to jail in this day and age for not being able to pay for this progressive tax is an outrage.
Remember many of those who cant afford to pay this licence are the same people who cant afford to pay for set top boxes and sat dishes, yet they are expected to pay for all these bbc channels that they cant receive.
Most BBC channels should be paid for by adverts or subscription with BBC2 and RADIO4 being paid through general taxation. The argument that if taxation is used to pay for some BBC services that the goverment of the day will interfere dose not wash. Every goverment interferes with the BBC every year.
I can afford to pay for the licence but have not for years, and will not!
I pay for sat services thats my choice.
DO
dodrade
gerryuk posted:
Sending old age grannys and single mums to jail in this day and age for not being able to pay for this progressive tax is an outrage.


Please provide us with a example of someone going to jail for failing to pay the TV licence.
JA
jay Founding member
If you pay the License Fee every year for your whole life you would not cover the cost of HALF of ONE of the programmes shown on BBC ONE.

Something to think about.
EQ
Equidem
Gavin Scott posted:
Get a job.


He's has one. I think I recall Simon telling us that he was roadsweeper.
EQ
Equidem
jay posted:
If you pay the License Fee every year for your whole life you would not cover the cost of HALF of ONE of the programmes shown on BBC ONE.

Something to think about.


Quite. Afterall, Mark Thompson did spent nearly £3,000 of licence payers money taking the BBC election bus team out to dinner one night.
AN
All New Johnnyboy
Equidem posted:
Gavin Scott posted:
Get a job.


He's has one. I think I recall Simon telling us that he was roadsweeper.


I thought he trawled vulnerable hell-holes delivering potatoes.

Newer posts