Had a Visit from TV Licence Man

Cornucopia

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

If you don't like the license fee system, then lobby your MP.

I did this - the ultimate result was a letter from the Minister saying that the Government would not intervene (in licence fee issues) because of BBC editorial independence.

Therefore the only route is direct action.

Jamie_Carter

Cornucopia wrote: »

I did this - the ultimate result was a letter from the Minister saying that the Government would not intervene (in licence fee issues) because of BBC editorial independence.

Therefore the only route is direct action.

Write back to him. He is fobbing you off with a load of clap trap. It's the government that sets the legislation that allows the BBC to be funded by license fees.

Cornucopia

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

Write back to him. He is fobbing you off with a load of clap trap. It's the government that sets the legislation that allows the BBC to be funded by license fees.

I politely went back to my MP and asked him to make sure that the Minister was certain that he wished to be quoted saying this, and received a slightly terse response from the Minister basically re-iterating what he'd already said.

edit: I should add that I took my complaint back to the BBC, and it is presently with the BBC Trust.

sniggings

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

Isn't that one obvious?

The BBC is funded rightly or wrongly by license fees. So anyone who watches/listens to any BBC broadcast (either live or recorded) is having their entertainment paid for by license payers.

But then this reflects the selfish world we live in.

I sort of agree...but as the BBC is avaiable to the rest of the world for free, I guess their business plan for that side of things is self funding as BBC world service made a big profit last year, an increase from the prevoius year, so if I were to go licence free and watch less BBC content than is availble to say someone living in the US, as i would be limited to only the Iplayer where they have a BBC channel for free, I will not feel all that guilty about it and sort of class myself as a none UK resident for BBC watching purposes.

oldgrumpygit

sniggings wrote: »

I sort of agree...but as the BBC is avaiable to the rest of the world for free, I guess their business plan for that side of things is self funding as BBC world service made a big profit last year, an increase from the prevoius year, so if I were to go licence free and watch less BBC content than is availble to say someone living in the US, as i would be limited to only the Iplayer where they have a BBC channel for free, I will not feel all that guilty about it and sort of class myself as a none UK resident for BBC watching purposes.

Is it?

How does that work?

sniggings

oldgrumpygit wrote: »

Is it?

How does that work?

Move to the US and enjoy BBC USA for free, not sure how you want to get there, fly sail or swim that's up to you, similar services to other countries too, not to mention the Iplayer is accessable to other countries too.

Reue

NewerNewbie wrote: »

What will happen now?
How long do you think it will be before he returns with a warrant?

Ive had several visits from the 'tv licence inspectors' over the years, so speaking from experience:

What will happen now? - You will continue to get letters from them and they may visit again

How long do you think it will be before he returns with a warrant? - Never, because a judge wont issue one without suitable evidence or cause. Refusing a home search is not grounds enough for a warrant.

katejo

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

Yes that's exactly what I mean.

I am inclined to agree with this. However I wouldn't go as far as to say that everyone in possession of a laptop/iPad etc. should have to have a licence in case they might watch iPlayer on it. There are plenty of other uses for computers.

Cornucopia

sniggings wrote: »

Move to the US and enjoy BBC USA for free, not sure how you want to get there, fly sail or swim that's up to you, similar services to other countries too, not to mention the Iplayer is accessable to other countries too.

I have a feeling that the international services provided through BBC Worldwide are all ad-funded or sub-funded or both. BBC (UK) is not supposed to subsidise international TV services.

On occasion, I've seen BBC World in Europe, and it has ads - not many, possibly not enough, but then it probably costs peanuts to run.

sniggings

katejo wrote: »

I am inclined to agree with this. However I wouldn't go as far as to say that everyone in possession of a laptop/iPad etc. should have to have a licence in case they might watch iPlayer on it. There are plenty of other uses for computers.

you can watch I player on TV or a laptop without a licence, just not if it is streamed at the same time it is on TV, oh no here we go again...