BBC licence fee should be scrapped, says thinktank - The Guardian

daveyjp

Proxy wrote: »

The website alone is worth £12 a month. Compare it to the Times' offering...

You don't need a TV licence to look at the website or listen to the radio - is it right that those without a TV licence can access the website and the radio for free?

StevieJ

A._Badger wrote: »

I've never been able to find a convincing justification for being forced to pay for a diet of Left-liberal agitprop from the BBC.
..

Why does that comment not surprise me?

StevieJ

daveyjp wrote: »

You don't need a TV licence to look at the website or listen to the radio - is it right that those without a TV licence can access the website and the radio for free?

Appears not, but it wouldn't take much to make I-Player subscription and may be a compromise they settle upon, I certainly hope not though unless it reduces the licence fee by the appropriate amount.

You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.

Many TV channels are now available to watch over the internet. If you’re watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they're being shown on TV, then you need a TV Licence. However, you don’t need to be covered by a licence if you’re only using ‘on-demand’ services to watch programmes after they have been shown on TV. So, you need a licence to watch any channel live online, but you wouldn’t need one to use BBC iPlayer to catch up on an episode of a programme you missed, for example.

drc

I'll be rejoicing the day the BBC tax is scrapped. I think it is an iniquitous tax that has absolutely no relevance or justification in this day and age. There are technologies which could exclude the BBC signal to all but those who subscribe to BBC channels. I think the BBC should stand on its own two feet and prove itself. If enough people think the BBC is fantastic then surely they can subsidise it through subscription and it will stay - but surely its wrong to force others who do not like the BBC to pay for it because of other peoples preferences?. Most other companies have to offer quality or value for money in order to survive and they have to change their tactics when they are losing money or customers. At the moment the BBC gets a blank cheque from the taxpayer. Why should the BBC be exempt from market forces? I really resent paying £145 per year (with threat from the BBC bully boys at Crapita) under duress when I watch virtually no BBC, don't like their left wing bias and don't like the fact that their "stars" and top executives are being paid extremely generously whilst the rest of the country has to tighten its belt during these difficult economic times.

ERICS_MUM

My life would be poorer without the BBC. I access it nearly 24/7 in various guises - telly (mainly 1, 2 and the News channels), Radio 5 (on through the night) and their excellent website. I am very grateful for the World Service if I can find it when abroad (it's reach is sadly diminished) and radio is available on-line anywhere in the world (allowing for internet access of course !).

Re the political bias (if there is one), I just take in the facts and apply my own political views. It is interesting however to hear opposing political views.

There are a few programmes on the BBC that I exclude from my viewing/listening. There are a few progammes on the other channels that I include in my viewing.

I get great value for money, and would be happy to pay more if necessary to prevent any diminution. I have never paid for subscription tv - the cost:enjoyment ratio doesn't justify it for me and looking at their TV listings I don't think I'm missing anything.

P.S. I neither work for nor have any affiliation with the BBC !


Linda :T

ruggedtoast

nearlynew wrote: »

At £12 a month you get a lot more value for your money from your licence fee than any commercial broadcaster has to offer.

You do if you watch, log onto, listen to everything.

As most of it sucks I dont, and dont think I should have to pay for it all.

movilogo

Hardly watch BBC. The pay packet of some stars are just too much!

I am in favour of scrapping the license fee. It is just another tax.

If other channels can survive without license fee, then BBC should do the same.

Dan:_4

Scrap the tax. There is nothing I watch on BBC anyway so could live without it.

FTBFun

Yes, lets all give money to Rupert Murdoch. That's a much better solution.

I expect this story is on the front page of The Times and Sun, and the lead item today on Sky News. Nothing like a bit of Hearst-style propaganda.

Dan:_4

FTBFun wrote: »

Yes, lets all give money to Rupert Murdoch. That's a much better solution.

I expect this story is on the front page of The Times and Sun, and the lead item today on Sky News. Nothing like a bit of Hearst-style propaganda.

At least its opitional weather you give money to him or not. What gets on my nerves is that you have no choice but to pay for the BBC.