TV Licence

DonnyDave

jimkenyon wrote: »

You still haven't answered the question why everyone who doesn't watch the BBC yet assesses live TV should have to pay a license fee if. If you love the BBC then fair enough - pay them a subscription. …

This sort of comment is what's wrong with this country. Services are now provided to "consumers" who choose which they subscribe to.

It is a nice theory to suggest that the BBC will still be the BBC if it were to become subscription. But the point is that the BBC is there fore everyone.

A subscription service is there to maximise its revenue (profit). I deplore this Thatcherite obsession that everything works best in this way without considering the practical aspects.

I believe that these services should be there to provide a service to the public rather jimkenyon's view where do things to further their own ends and at the expense of others.

jimkenyon

DonnyDave wrote: »

This sort of comment is what's wrong with this country. Services are now provided to "consumers" who choose which they subscribe to.

It is a nice theory to suggest that the BBC will still be the BBC if it were to become subscription. But the point is that the BBC is there fore everyone.

A subscription service is there to maximise its revenue (profit). I deplore this Thatcherite obsession that everything works best in this way without considering the practical aspects.

I believe that these services should be there to provide a service to the public rather jimkenyon's view where do things to further their own ends and at the expense of others.

So DonnyDave - you want to charge people for a service they don't use? Nice.

Perhaps you could tell me why the BBC want above inflation increases during a recession.

Or perhaps if you believe it to be a public service then why do the BBC operate a commercial arm?

I could go on.:rotfl:

DonnyDave

jimkenyon wrote: »

So DonnyDave - you want to charge people for a service they don't use? Nice.

Perhaps you could tell me why the BBC want above inflation increases during a recession.

The BBC is a public service and so therefore should provide programming for all rather than providing programming that attracts the biggest audiences in order to drive up subscription revenues. I know which one I prefer.

jimkenyon wrote: »

Or perhaps if you believe it to be a public service then why do the BBC operate a commercial arm?

The "public service" bit are the main TV and radio channels and the programmes broadcast on them, as well as BBC Online.

Why would BBC Worldwide that operates in many different countries be funded by UK licence fee payers? How can BBC Magazines operate in any other way than on a commercial basis? The answer is that the commercial way is right for some of the BBC's non-public service operations.

will-in-estoril

jimkenyon wrote: »

You still haven't answered the question why everyone who doesn't watch the BBC yet assesses live TV should have to pay a license fee if. If you love the BBC then fair enough - pay them a subscription. Personally I find their bloated structure and obscene spending to be offensive.

The license fee is basically a compulsory tax which is inequitable. I much prefer the Tory proposal to abolish it and fund the BBC out of general taxation.

By the way - you should cut out the clitches as it is poor form. I could call you a Guardian reader, but I won't.

1. Please re-read (or read) post #30, which answers why we sometimes fund things we do not like.
2. 'Bloated', 'obscene', 'offensive': more emotive language which belies little or no knowledge of the structures of the BBC. Again, not one shred of evidence, merely postulates
3. I support the licence fee, a truly consistent position. Others cannot make up their mind if they support subscriptions, general taxation or deregulation!
4. Cameron is snuggling up to Murdoch purely for electoral purposes, in exchange for the support of 'The Sun'. Tony Blair did much the same thing. The BBC's charter is not up for renewal until 2016, way past the next general election but one, so don't expect anything before then. Are even the Tories stupid enough to abolish the licence fee, meaning a hike in income tax during a recession?
5. Quite willing to have a separate debate on regressive taxation, but only if someone can explain to me how a subscriptions are progressive! (Does Mr Murdoch give a discount to those on low incomes or pensioners??)
6. I read a number of newspapers, all of which clearly separate news from editorial.:eek:
7. What is a 'clitche'?:D

t_mob_insider2

Why do we have to pay for a TV licence?

I pay sky a monthly subscription to watch TV so i am basically paying twice to watch the same channels, being BBC 1,2,3,4 & Channel 4.

Can we just not refuse to watch these channels and not pay the licence fee?

I have just recieved the yearly breakdown through an yet again it has increased.

Why are we also charged £5pa for paying by Direct Debit? Should this not be without charge?

Pokerlad

Sky do not charge you to watch any of the BBC channels, they are not part of any Sky Package.

I'm not sure you do pay £5 for paying by DD. Is it a charge for paying by installments maybe?

pcombo

yea you do need a licence, although the full tv licence is a con is why i dont pay it and still have 4 televisions in the house.

t_mob_insider2

Pokerlad wrote: »

Sky do not charge you to watch any of the BBC channels, they are not part of any Sky Package.

I'm not sure you do pay £5 for paying by DD. Is it a charge for paying by installments maybe?

But you still recieve the channels through your sky box - so i would prefer to pay for sky & not recieve BBC channels, therefore not paying for a TV licence.

I pay many services by Direct Debit and there is no charge ( there is a charge however for not paying direct debit with my other servcies? Seems like another way for them to get £5 of everyone

" I like your style pcombo "

will-in-estoril

Pay by monthly rather than quarterly direct debit and there's no extra charge.

My defence of the licence fee is well documented! http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2192685
I will resist commenting further.

pcombo

and the reason why its a con, have you noticed shows on bbc i.e eastenders had posters in the hospital of hula hoops and heinz beans. They never use to have this seems like advertising.