howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
we have had many debates on here about the licence, this article shows how other countries fund their public service broadcasting.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26546570howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The debate continues to rage over the funding of the BBC, I suspect nothing will change and this unpopular levy will continue to rise.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27694455Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I don't have a problem paying for the TV licence, but I do object to the wastage that seems to go on there (BBC).
Roger
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,385
I think the licence price has been held until 2016 (from 2010?).
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Indeed it has been pegged but I don't how it rose to that amount in the first place, the BBC have lost the vast majority of live sport they once had which cost a lot of money and we don't get stars of show business performing on a Saturday night anymore.
Reality shows and talent competitions don't cost very much.
The big earners seem to be chat show hosts and football pundits who just tell us what we have just seen.
Bob Whysman- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,918
It will probably get more expensive yet Howard when more of the population attain the age of 75 and become eligible for the free licence!
Do nothing and nothing happens.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The system is being abused Bob with many cases where a house has a few wage earners but the licence is in the name of the person aged over 75.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
That will apply in my household as I have paid the licence since I moved here, at least my daughter and partner seldom watch BBC so no guilt here when I hit 75.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Whysman- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,918
Don't be too eager Jan, the repeats still look the same and you can't say "why do we pay a licence for this rubbish," anymore!!
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 1033- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 509
I have to say I have very strong opinions about the licence fee. Not only have we paid the wages of slags like jimmy saville, but we have also funded the wages and pensions of those who covered up his disgusting acts, and now it appears we will have to fund the compensation that his victims will (quite rightly) receive. Add to this the repulsive jeremy clarkson, convicted drink driver vic reeves, halfwit johnathon ross, various other pedophiles and clowns and see who has got rich at the public's expense, and as usual its all cosily covered up by the establishment.
Bit of an extreme response I suppose, but I saw a video of someone refusing to pay his TV licence saying, 'I do not wish to subscribe to your publicly funded pedophile ring', and it really struck a nerve.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Anything for a quiet life, so I pay ours by direct debit, but i bitterly resent it for all the reasons you mention, Barrie.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
Same here, if they had to earn their money rather than having it handed to them they might not be so keen to squander it. On top of Barrie's list why have so many TV and radio channels when they claim they have no money, quantity at the expense of quality.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Alec Sheldon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,036
I have had the free one for nearly five years now but when I was a "paying customer" I bought a stamp every week at the post office when I drew the pension so didn't really notice it..
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
To be fair, the BBC is very good at news coverage, although on certain subjects you have to allow for a degree of bias. Costume drama is another strong point. And I couldn't do without HIGNFY.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Overall they have the best programmes in my view but strive too much for ratings when they don't need to.
I agree that they have too many channels, I think BBC 4 is for the chop, and there are enough commercial local radio stations
without the BBC ones.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
I thought it was BBC3 that was going Howard, a channel that I have watched once since it started.
I have heard they are going to have a plus one, great joy we can watch all those repeats again but one hour later.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I don't see this idea as being popular with people paying a levy even if they don't have a television.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-licence-fee-should-be-replaced-say-mps-10070000.htmlJan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,655
One way the BBC could easily save money would be to get rid of some of their radio stations I can access twelve of them via my Virgin box.
How did we ever manage with only four plus World Service a few years ago.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I think the main problem with the BBC is that they seem to forget they are a public service broadcaster and worry too much about ratings which have no effect either way on the licence fee. They should let go of high earners in the entertainment and sporting field and concentrate on what they are good at such as current affairs, the natural world and history programmes.