BBC not worth the cost of a TV Licence
Like most people in Britain I own a television set and I am currently paying a small fortune for the 'BBC TV licence fee' each year and my gripe is that I'd like to know what I'm getting for my money! I certainly don't think that I'm getting enough value.
Like many other people I feel that I am subsidising the BBC because I rarely ever watch terrestrial television and I prefer to surf the many digital channels currently on offer instead.
Some of the reasons given for the fee is that it helps to keep the quality of BBC TV programmes at a high standard and makes it possible for them to broadcast quality content without the constant interruption of annoying advertisements and commercials. Well I suppose these are pretty valid points, but they are probably the only ones as far as I can see.
Also if you were to treat the TV Licence fee as a subscription and compare the cost with a subscription to the popular digital services. Your subscription to terrestrial channels would work out at about 10 to 15 times more expensive!
What are the alternatives to a TV Licence?
So what are the alternatives to funding the BBC with the licence fee and what would the end product be like? One option would be to charge a separate subscription fee and possibly even boost revenues by allowing advertisments. I suspect though that this may not be too popular due to the fact that people quite like having a channel with no adverts on. Another option would be to integrate the channels with existing subscription services so that you can opt in for these channels in the same way that you would for any other premium channel.
At the end of the day though, it's probably all too much trouble for those in charge and besides they would not be prepared to accept any of the inevitable losses that would be incurred.
Paying for a licence
If you're paying for a TV licence like the rest of us, you might as well check out what the beeb have to say on the subject. There's lots of usefull information here like how to pay for one, if your so inclined that is!
Watching the TV on your PC
If you thought that it might be possible to watch TV without a licence then have a read at this article from The Register, it might make you think twice about that.
Campaign to abolish the licence fee
This site is really worth checking out if you feel strongly about this subject. There's lots of information and points of interest in this site, so don't delay - check it out now and make a stand!
Comments from visitors
Do readers think that keeping a service PAID for by LICENCE payers is ok because its ad free when the BBC execs are paid such immoral salaries? Paid for from the licence fee?
As for the argument re ads I should remind you that a large percentage of us have equipment to record programs, thus allowing us to skip the ads.As for the quality of programs I think those advocating this is the reason for the licence fee should give it a rest ! ITV let alone Channel 4 and others provide excellent programs. They don't extort money or intimidate to get it from the viewer!
The BBC has extorted money thanks to its Royal Charter from the television user in the UK far too long.
The amount of money it makes from program sales, dvd and other merchandise, open air shows and exhibitions gives no reason as to why it should not pay for itself and not rely upon the sole right to extort money from the licence payer. One of my fav writers has a more than convincing reason WHY the BBC WILL lose the right to that licence fee.. Instead of laboring under the illusion the BBC are entitled to that by right, by extortion, get used to the idea that sooner or later they WILL LOSE that right.
In a time of austerity when everyone is tightening their belts, the extortion of that tax is immoral, the lack of transparency by the BBC merely echoes the reason why they should abolish the licence fee. The BBC have tried repeatedly to evade disclosures on salaries, to group the salaries in to much more transparent way that will allow the licence fee payer to see just how much is paid in immoral salary payments to certain execs. I'm referring to their annual reports.
http://www.jesscorbinbooks.co.uk/blog/html/bbc.html
forcing someone without a tv to pay the license! :D
I found it interesting to find out that the letters are randomly computer generated and the "signatures" from those in authority in each letter changed each time. LOL. A terrible greed driven organisation.
THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY receives a wage of £142,000 per year.
Do bbc presenters and executives work harder for this country than those highest in government? LOL-this may be debatable, but the bbc should definately be gotten rid of, or put into place with far lower wages. Mark Thompson, the director general of the bbc, was paid £838,000 in the year to the end of March 2010. It pure greed from a successful company-yes, thats humanity for you, all companies naturally do try and make as much as possible, but pushing ridiculous license fees and threatening license letters is not fair on the public. From the telegraph "The BBC employs 110 individuals who earn more than the Prime Minister's salary of £142,500, and 38 members of staff earning more than £200,000 a year – about eight times higher than the average salary of workers in Britain."
If there must be a license for those watching tv content, then it should be in the form of a subscription, or automatic tax taken from wage. In 2012, there should be a choice, as a license is only required for devices that are capable of watching live broadcasts-not just bbc content, but a license is not required if you watch pre-recorded content (dvd/cd) or play games. You need proof that you do not watch, or cannot receive such broadcasts. Such as possibly using a tv with no ariel that doesnt have built in freeview. The license is only still paid by the majority of tv owners because its been around for so long and seen as something you must do to watch a tv, when it is not. Do you remember all the threatening tv adverts warning you that you must pay or the bbc will come to your door in their "detection vans"? LOL. No one has ever been fined from the bbc forcing themselves in to their home to check if they have a television, and as far as I know, the UK is not a police state which is run by the bbc. The bbc was made responsible for licence administration, so are contracted (paid lots of money) to collect the fee on the tv license companies behalf-but the bbc do not own the license company!
Mark Thompsons son - 15-Jan-12 15:44
FCUK THE BBC!
Why not check your facts before you spout incorrect drivel like this?
Foreign lands & boring foreign issues covered way too much!!.. Fed up watching middle east issues being covered!! I want to hear more of whats happening here in Britain....
BBC's really been on borrowed time in asking for payment for a very long time now with a lot of the 'Filler' dross programmes they serve up in between the odd good show here & there....
Gratzthankzandnononsenze - 6-Jun-11 23:23
Nearly worth the licence fee by itself. (Well they do have some other good stuff too.)
grumpyoldwoman - 23-Apr-11 10:22
emacstheviking - 5-Apr-11 13:25
turntellydown - 6-Mar-11 21:45





