TV Licensing Reform

Chie, I don't have, nor am I likely to ever have, children. Why should I pay for education or taxes that go to child support?

Because if we each pay a little - the whole country benefits.



Should he indeed. Nothing to do with being bitter then?

It's alright when they're not propagating unecessary health stories, which they seem to be obsessed with, being biased about climate change and promoting BBC shows during the last five minutes of a bulletin. The rest of the time, they're just throwing a load of statistics at you.

I wish the nationals would give more news about what's happening in other parts of the world, such as the stories you see on Reporters on the news channel, for example. I'm sick of hearing about what foods are bad for me, how much polar ice has melted this season (and how guilty I should feel about it), and the ups and downs of knife and gun crime. These things just aren't 'news'. In fact, they're bloody mind-numbing.



I don't buy that. What does the BBC offer that other, free broadcasters don't? The country would still benefit from those if the BBC didn't exist. If people really want nature documentaries and things then they can always choose to subscribe to Sky, and if they want unbiased news all they need to do is look at the Reuters website.

Is climate change a conspiracy then, Chie? Have the scientists come together in a lie to make profit for someone somewhere?

I'm going to bow out of this discussion. I can't argue against Daily Mail indoctrination - or at least I 'd rather not waste time trying.

Oh p*ss off, Gavin.

+ News that's independent of commercial pressures.
+ Educational road shows around the UK (Bang goes the theory, See me on CBBC, Me and my movie).
+ Niche radio services which couldn't survive commercially but serve the community.
+ Development and investment in new broadcast technologies (HD, the new reflective CSO, new keying and tracking technologies as in the forthcoming return of Bamzooki).
+ Quality sports coverage including analysis during half time.
+ Worthwhile interactive 'red button' content such as additional sports analysis or alternative commentaries.
+ A website offering services such as help learning a new language, school tips and revision advice for teens, and indeed the news (which ITV have axed from their site as they can't afford it).
+ Subsidised music events like the BBC proms.
+ Quality children's programmes rather than just sitcoms and cartoons (Newsround, Sportsround, Blue Peter, Excellent Inventions), including programmes for an age group which ITV cannot afford to serve.
+ Programmes for minority groups otherwise uncatered for, such as 'See Hear'.

That's the tip of the iceberg.



You genuinely believe the quality of Discovery channel's own documentaries surpasses that of the nature documentaries produced by the BBC? Where would channels like Dave, Gold etc get their programmes if there was no BBC; it's a false economy as it is, subscribing to channels which repeat publicly funded programmes.

Scrap the BBC, who needs it? If people really want entertainment, they can always subscribe to PokerWorldTV.

Are we honestly going to lump the BBC in with ITV? I mean honestly, ITV is a load of sh*te, and they've only got themselves to blame.

I have no problem with paying the Licence Fee, I think the BBC are very good, most of the time and provide services which interest me. Radio 1, 2 & 6 Music are all great stations (Radio 1 less so than the other two) and to be pefectly frank, listening to Capital, Heart & Absolute of recent, I certainly don't want the licence fee to be scrapped.

Uh huh.

See how fast I go.

That's a nice idea in theory, Ebeneezer, but of course it's practically impossible to enforce. Of course, only one adult in each household would need to register for the licence: all other adults could simply claim that they didn't watch broadcast TV and it would be rather difficult, expensive and morally intrusive to attempt to prove otherwise.

The TVL represents very good value for money and provides services which wouldn't necessarily be available commercially. I also agree with the point that advertising revenue will simply not stretch to supporting yet another quality broadcaster.

Would people feel more comfortable if the BBC was funded from direct taxation? There would be no specific collection or avoidance issues for people to focus on or worry about; but of course there would be accusations of greater state control.

I think the current arrangement is probably the 'least worst' and it works very well.

I always find it funny when I hear people saying we shouldn't have the tv license anymore. I firmly believe that without it, tv in this country would die a quick death. Having the BBC funded in this way helps maintain a bench mark for television on the whole. Commercial competitors (who have the potential to earn more than the BBC) only criticise it when we hit hard times like we currently are. Remember if we want a full Sky package we have to pay nearly £45 a month and still watch adverts! We pay far less a month for the BBC and watch no adverts. The BBC comission far more programming than most other broadcasters too and provide excellent services such as iPlayer and part of Freeview/Freesat.

Just a small point - however much 'advertising' we get in between shows, at least there is no breaks in shows - generally a blessing, though if you need a wee it can get annoying.

Here here. The BBC is the catalyst for broadcasting in the UK remove it or it's funding then the whole thing would rapidly fall apart. I refuse to believe those who say that they don't watch or listen to the Corporation's output, and indeed have little sympathy for that argument, if they cannot find anything on the BBC to be entertained or informed by then they really aren't worth bothering with.

Ideally, there would be no TV license. But in reality it won't work. If ITV1 currently have the upper hand in the commercial TV industry and are already struggling to make ends meet, what on earth would happen if a much stronger BBC1 went commercial? C4 is also going under, a commercial BBC2 would make things even worse. And while digital channels struggle to get revenue, some companies who can't already get terrestrial space will take their business to BBC2 as well as BBC3 and 4, which would have a catastrophic effect on ITV2, E4 etc. I personally don't watch much on the BBC but I understand the value of the license fee, and its hardly breaking the bank anyway. The only way to abolish the license fee would be to do away with the entire BBC corporation which would be very bad for commercial TV. IMO, those who moan about the license fee are incredibly ignorant and ought to look at the bigger picture rather than at their own pockets, which wouldn't even be that much better off anyway.