TV Licence

[jambutty]

Originally Posted by bullseyebarb

If, as stated by jambutty, the BBC's programming is so great, it should prosper mightily in the open marketplace without the forced contributions of the long suffering British taxpayers.

Where did I state that BBC’s programming was great? I stated that the license fee was great value and that is nowhere near the same thing. In that the bulk of the money raised by the license fee goes to fund the BBC in part.

I enjoy listening to BBC Radio 2 or Radio Lancashire during the day and TV during the evenings. I like many of the programmes on all BBC TV channels but I accept that one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

If there were no BBC or it went fully funded by adverts we would still have to pay the license fee to view TV no matter which stations we view.

[jaysay]

I'm actally surprised that no one has mentioned that the BBC is to open its own Arabic TV Channel in opposition to Al jezera (don't know if thats the right spelling) apperantly they tried it before in the 90s but it folded after about 2 years, makes you wonder what the BBC stands for as it does very little for the British. Can I please put an order in for some good news for the TV licence payer, because we never get any.

[jambutty]

There is nothing surprising about the BBC broadcasting to foreign countries. The BBC World Service has been broadcasting radio programmes to foreign countries for decades and just as importantly people listened. And not just ex-pats or English speaking countries either. Many foreign listeners used the World Service to learn English. In fact donkey’s years ago the World Service had actual English lessons for specific countries.

The BBC does a lot more than most people give them credit for.

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by jambutty

The BBC does a lot more than most people give them credit for.

I agree there. I'm learning basic German with BBC online for free. I could only take French and Spanish at school but the German language appeals to me. Anyway, the BBC have been very helpful in that respect.

[bullseyebarb]

Originally Posted by jambutty

Where did I state that BBC’s programming was great? I stated that the license fee was great value and that is nowhere near the same thing.

The way you've gone to bat for this organization in your various posts certainly implies approval. Would it make you happier if I just deleted the word "programming?" The main point is that you can't legally own a t.v. set in Britain without a license. An alien concept to yours truly.

[yerself]

Originally Posted by bullseyebarb

The main point is that you can't legally own a t.v. set in Britain without a license.

Oh dear. Another barrack-room lawyer.

From: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/
Do I need a TV Licence?

-
"You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.

If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence."

There doesn't seem to be anything there to say it's illegal to own a telly.

[bullseyebarb]

Originally Posted by yerself

There doesn't seem to be anything there to say it's illegal to own a telly.

Then why does your government go to such pains and expense in order to enforce the licensing laws? Even poor Cyfr, who doesn't own a t.v. is being hounded. If people refuse to buy a license, what happens? Do you end up in court or do they just confiscate the telly?

[garinda]

Originally Posted by bullseyebarb

Then why does your government go to such pains and expense in order to enforce the licensing laws? Even poor Cyfr, who doesn't own a t.v. is being hounded. If people refuse to buy a license, what happens? Do you end up in court or do they just confiscate the telly?

People are fined.

The Accrington Observer is full each week of people who were fined for not having a licence.

Though I never understand why people are fined various amounts.

The usual fine seems to be £240.

[garinda]

The Conservatives might be on to a vote winner, with their proposal not to give the BBC all the proceeds of the licence fee, but to share some of it with other broadcasting companies.


BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Tories plan to share licence fee

[jaysay]

I'm a little surprised that no one has picked up on the fact the the Beeb are sending around 350 personel to the Olympics in China, more than the British Olimpic team themselves, well I suppose Sue Barker will need her hairdresser and Liniker will have some one carrying his stock of crisps

[garinda]

Originally Posted by jaysay

I'm a little surprised that no one has picked up on the fact the the Beeb are sending around 350 personel to the Olympics in China, more than the British Olimpic team themselves, well I suppose Sue Barker will need her hairdresser and Liniker will have some one carrying his stock of crisps

Let's hope the 350 plus strong team win some awards for their broadcasting.

[g jones]

It's seems annoying that there is a compulsory charge for TV in todays media world. It could be £136 saved.

Labour MPs seem to have a loathing of the BBC, largely for he Iraq War coverage and anti-government stance it takes but that is the beauty of the BBC. It is the people's channel and I would like that reinforced.

Cameron is spot on - Murdock has too much power

Having been to the USA I would caution against a free market approach. Instead of 6 minutes of ads, they get 16 minutes of ads. Necessary they argue in order that they can generate more money for programme buying.

The ad free BBC makes it difficult for other private channels to increase their ad quantity time.

The fact the BBC are less shackled to dumbed down mass consumption also sets quality standards that other TV companies try to compete with. I shudder when I go to the USA and see the so called choice and free market there.

USA TV news is a disgrace. Fox especially. The BBC sets standards that make British TV the best in the world.

Considering Sky's crappy package is also around £150 per year I think the BBC is good value, with Radio and the best website in the world that projects Britain as a nation to other nations...

[steeljack]

Well now then, mi owd fettlers , I've just dug up this old thread to say after watching the last episode of the BBC program "Cranford' (we get stuff a bit late here) that those who knock the BBC don't know what they are talking about .........absolutly brilliant ............In my opinion there is no way any TV company in the world could produce such good programming , knocks the socks off anything produced this side of the Atlantic , you guys should be proud when you go down to the post office every week and buy that 5/- TV license stamp and stick it on that card ......no but seriously , only the BBC could produce such a good program .

[jambutty]

Originally Posted by steeljack

Well now then, mi owd fettlers , I've just dug up this old thread to say after watching the last episode of the BBC program "Cranford' (we get stuff a bit late here) that those who knock the BBC don't know what they are talking about .........absolutly brilliant ............In my opinion there is no way any TV company in the world could produce such good programming , knocks the socks off anything produced this side of the Atlantic , you guys should be proud when you go down to the post office every week and buy that 5/- TV license stamp and stick it on that card ......no but seriously , only the BBC could produce such a good program .

I couldn’t agree with you more except for one ever so tiny detail. But you wouldn’t be expected to know that, living abroad as you are.

We can’t pay for the TV license at the Post Office any more. We can pay at any shop displaying the Pay Point sign and we get charged £0.50 for the privilege. There’s always DD of course but I don’t like people helping themselves to the money in my bank account.