'Do you believe in the BBC licence fee?' poll discussion

MrPedantic

I used to be against the license fee, but as I look through channels on Sky the only ones that ever appeal are either the BBC channels or those showing BBC produced repeats (such as Dave, Watch, etc). If it wasn't for the BBC then the only new programmes commissioned would be those that attracted the advertising necessary to pay for them. 'Cheap to produce' shows, such as quiz and reality shows, would be abundant and who would have the guts to commission new dramas or documentaries that may not attract sufficient viewing figures?

I also agree with previous posts that compliment the BBC website, iPlayer (and the underlying technology they developed) and Radio services - all of which are paid for by the license fee.

freddy27

I must say in answer to all the rhetoric spouted that I can honestly say that for the last two years I have not watched a single advert on ANY TV channel. The thought of having a channel supplied by Rupert Murdock just gives me the creeps. I have on one occasion wathched ITV but only by recording it and fast forward through the adverts.
Can you imagine the amount of drivel we would be in receipt of IF the BBC was forced into advertising. NO No No a thousand or a billion times NO! Keep the BBC as it is and with the licence fee.

lucylucky

MrPedantic wrote: »

I used to be against the license fee, but as I look through channels on Sky the only ones that ever appeal are either the BBC channels or those showing BBC produced repeats (such as Dave, Watch, etc). If it wasn't for the BBC then the only new programmes commissioned would be those that attracted the advertising necessary to pay for them. 'Cheap to produce' shows, such as quiz and reality shows, would be abundant and who would have the guts to commission new dramas or documentaries that may not attract sufficient viewing figures?

I also agree with previous posts that compliment the BBC website, iPlayer (and the underlying technology they developed) and Radio services - all of which are paid for by the license fee.

I do like the irony of your user name and the spelling in your post.;)

MrPedantic

lucylucky wrote: »

I do like the irony of your user name and the spelling in your post.;)

At the risk of sounding stupid, what irony??

lucylucky

It is TV licence not license

Sarita

The BBC fund fantastic films as well as TV, & offer world cup & FA cup final & wimbledon matches without adverts, plus amazing nature documentaries, fantastic comedy...

& they develop comedians on radio and BBC3 in a way that commercial channels just can't afford to do.

The licence fee allows the BBC to take chances, to move beyond the middle of the road, to take a long-term view when investing and nurturing talent and sticking with a challenging format.

No way would The Office have been commissioned without the BBC - it was a direct result of a workshop to nurture up-and-coming talent and at the time was a really radical idea.

If the BBC become as bland, commercial-reality driven and hampered by the need to draw in advertisers as ITV, Sky et al we will all be the poorer. Just for 40p a day.

MrPedantic

lucylucky wrote: »

It is TV licence not license

Quite right :T - a bit sloppy there! I'd better stop hijacking this thread with a discussion on grammar. Of course, the BBC would never make such an error!

Peggy40

Not sure I believe in the cost of the licence, so many repeats!
That said, dont want to sit and watch lots of ads either!

Im for the licence, against the overall cost.

Swan_2

fredbear5150 wrote: »

However, I would like to see it scrapped as a license fee and just added to normal taxes since I doubt there are very few people now who do not have to buy it- even if you have an Internet PC & no TV, I believe you still have to buy it. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

I do hope you're joking or that I've misread your post!

As technology has advanced there are increasing numbers of people who don't watch broadcast television, but use their tellys for purposes undreamt of when the licence fee was first introduced.

david.higson1

40 pence a day , if i had the choice