[Closed] BBC!!

Oh look, a troll!

I pay because the 2% makes it worth the money.

cranberry - Member

Oh look, a troll!

😆

It's worth it just to keep Clarkson on the telly.

BBC 4 ain't that bad, c'mon now...

Not feeding the troll, but I always find it funny the number of comments the BBC articles on this manage to gather from people who think the content is all crap, they don't use any of the services and it should all be scraped. The irony of them using those BBC services to complain about not using them is probably lost on them.

What with 98% of it's programming hardly worth paying attention to, I'm struggling to think of a reason why I should be extorted to pay a "licence fee" to this top-heavy corporation and it's largely pointless output.

Don't then.

Next.

I find netflix a better deal, they even do decent interesting and entertaining drama programmes, something that the BBC seem to have given up on.

Between netflix, 4OD and i-player, I see no need for a TV licence any more 😀

thanks to iplayer I think the license fee is more relevant than ever

we wont have to worry about content for much longer, just heard on radio news that Noel Edmunds is heading a group to BUY the BBC. 🙄

Aw, i looked at this thread as i though it was about something else entirely.

Woppit.
I love the BBC ,outside [b]NOW[/b]!

For my £150-odd I get:

F1 coverage without having to pay Murdoch
Good documentaries
Top Gear
DIY SOS - always restores my faith in humanity
The occasional good comedy show
Random stuff that just grabs you - that banger racing doc that was on after TG for example.

Worth every penny 🙂

Personally, although its legal, I'm of the opinion that if you're not buying a tv licence then you shouldn't be watching the iPlayer.

Good documentaries
Top Gear
DIY SOS - always restores my faith in humanity
The occasional good comedy show
Random stuff that just grabs you - that banger racing doc that was on after TG for example.

I get all that for free, just a few hours later 😆

Don't then.

So - even though I have a TV I don't need to pay the licence fee? Are you talking about "getting away with it" or is that actually legal?

Aw, i looked at this thread as i though it was about something else entirely.

and then....

I love the BBC ,outside NOW!

*Laughs*

I find netflix a better deal, they even do decent interesting and entertaining drama programmes, something that the BBC seem to have given up on.

Between netflix, 4OD and i-player, I see no need for a TV licence any more

Exactly. The licence fee is legal extortion, pure and simple. Isn't it?

Services we use regularly:
Radio 1, 3, 4 & 5, news website, news 24, BBC 1, 2, 4 , cbeebies, iplayer and the weather app

I think that 40p a day as a household is a good deal for that lot.

Woppit - what about all the tax to build roads, railways, hospitals and schools you'll never use. Extortion, all of it...

ninfan - Member

I get all that for free, just a few hours later

How?

Oh because you don't watch it live I forgot about that

So - even though I have a TV I don't need to pay the licence fee? Are you talking about "getting away with it" or is that actually legal?

As others have said, use all the (not live) online services.

Radio 4
BBC4
iPlayer

All excellent.

Or would you prefer to surrender to Sky and the utter shite they churn out. The History channel used to be good, now it's just full of American "Reality" shows. (Although it does have Paige Wyatt! :D)

I feel more aggrieved about those watching services they haven't paid for online than the price of the licence fee, tbh.

woohoo we've done drugs and the BBC. Now lets sort out immigration and capital punishment, and we can all go home!

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/18/noel-edmonds-bbc_n_4983449.html

Noel Edmunds wants to buy it. Keep it as it it FFS.

So - even though I have a TV I don't need to pay the licence fee? Are you talking about "getting away with it" or is that actually legal?

You need the TV licence to watch or record TV as it is broadcast live (even if it's a non-BBC channel like ITV or Sky 1). That's it. You do not need a licence if you only ever watch streamed shows (including iPlayer).

The TV licence enforcement people will hound the shit out you if you don't have one. However, they do not have any special powers without a court order, they have no rights to "just pop in for a quick look" unless you choose to let them, and "detector vans" are a myth.

So if you don't watch broadcast TV and don't mind getting threatening letters on a regular basis, you don't need to buy a licence.

Personally, I do pay for mine. I think the BBC is responsible for some awesome programming and it's well worth the money.

Radio 4
BBC4
iPlayer

All excellent.

And only one of those requires a licence to watch / listen to.

The TV licence enforcement people will hound the shit out you if you don't have one.

If you just tell them that you don't need one (you can even do it online) then they leave you alone 🙂

And only one of those requires a licence to watch / listen to.

But they all need the licence fee to fund them.

Broadcasting has to be funded somehow, commercially this is by advertising.

And who funds the advertisers? We all do when we buy stuff.

Simple really.

The TV licence enforcement people will hound the shit out you if you don't have one.

If you just tell them that you don't need one (you can even do it online) then they leave you alone

Telling them to do one is much more satisfying. Why help them out, there;s nothing they can do. They rely on confessions, usually by bullying and intimidating old people and gullible students. Just ignore them.

Ah, the 'unique way it is funded'; making you pay for that which you don't want... If a supermarket tried that on they'd hemorrhage customers. The BBC needs to sort itself out and quickly. A progressive reduction in their licence income leading towards abolition of the entertainment poll tax is what the luvvies need to shock them nto action.

I still think the license fee is worth it. I don't watch live tv that much, but use iPlayer all the time and for me I'm happy to pay.

The documentaries, Olympic coverage, (some) comedy, general entertainment, eg Sherlock and previously Spooks and Luther are all really good. I don't have kids but I know my friends that do really appreciate Cbeebies and Cbbc.

In reality the BBC will get to the point it chargers for iPlayer, it would be stupid not to. Some sort of logon based on your TV license. When it does I'll already be paying for it and will be happy to.

Ah, the 'unique way it is funded'; making you pay for that which you don't want... If a supermarket tried that on they'd hemorrhage customers.

They do precisely that. Supermarket customers pay for the advertising that funds ITV, whether or not they have a television.

The only way to be certain of not funding independent television is by never buying any products or services. Don't have a TV or TV license and you can be guaranteed not to fund BBC.

Funding the BBC is voluntary, funding independent television isn't.

6 Nations Rugby
Rabblebank Shite 12 rugby on red button
The News
Stwart Lee's comedy Vehicle

More than worth the money.

If I didn't pay it we would have no Clarkson and then what would we all bicker about?

Also, the World Service and other useful worldwide facilities would be lost

Funding the BBC isn't voluntary! Just try watching 'only'ITv and see what happens. Firstly your brain will die and then you'll summonsed.

Don't watch TV if you don't want to fund BBC. Simple.

There is no simple way of not funding independent television.

Don't watch [b]live[/b] TV if you don't want to fund BBC. Simple.

FTFY

Don't watch [b]live BBC[/b] TV if you don't want to fund BBC. Simple.

FTFY

Personally, although its legal, I'm of the opinion that if you're not buying a tv licence then you shouldn't be watching the iPlayer

It's worth it for radio 4 and 6 alone!

Given the amount of excellent output, the Beeb is a bargain. Sure, they could be a little less profligate with some of the money, but just sit back and watch The Blue Planet, or listen to Radio 4, etc, etc, etc. So much quality.

Personally I just look at the dross on ITV or the cost of SKY and think the BBC is bargain

Well that's because everyone else is subsidising your viewing. If the bbc produces enough output that you like then you pay for it. Give those who don't agree a choice if they want to pay or not.

If the bbc doesn't get back to producing a smaller number of higher quality programs, then it will die. The model of delivery is already changing, the constant background drone of evening television is being replaced by the ability to choose what and when. The organisations that will survive are the ones producing enough quality output to be saleable. HBO is the only one currently managing to do that consistently.

just sit back and watch The Blue Planet

The blue planet was over 10 years ago, but I agree the BBC's natural history programs are probably the best out there (although usually now made in partnership with other organisations). But it is only every couple of years they put out one of the headline NH series, and I would rather pay 20 quid for a seasons pass for that.

Don't watch live BBC TV if you don't want to fund BBC. Simple.
FTFY

What do you think you "fixed" ?

It's nothing to do with wether you watch BBC or not.

It's just about watching (or recording) live TV. (From any provider)

My mate works at the BBC, they have free biscuits in every meeting, quality ones too, no own brand rich tea rubbish.

I would genuinely be happy to pay the licence fee for Radio 4 alone. Yes there is a load of tosh on the BBC but I simply don't watch it or listen to it. There is still plenty of great quality stuff.

I'd like someone to show me another channel that comes anywhere close to the BBC. Everything else is 99% dumbed down drivel.

Try watching this for a good reminder of what the BBC has given us over the years. [url]

I was sat in a hospital waiting room watching some 3rd rate commercial breakfast news programme here in Oz last year, it was a vehicle for product placement with only a thin veil for the most stupid that "news story" about a miracle drug that makes you thin and cures diseases that only actually occur in cats and only costs $59.95 if bought today.

A strong independent BBC producing what is still regarded worldwide as quality output is important.

Compared to the cost of Sky (which also has adverts) and the crap elsewhere it's in the top 5 list of things I really miss from the UK.

my mate works at the BBC, they have free biscuits in every meeting, quality ones too, no own brand rich tea rubbish.

BBC branded biscuits. Now that would be a waste of the licence fee.;-)
More than happy to pay. Radio 6 and the recent Olympics coverage were worth the money on their own.

What about an internet levy to fund the BBC? Fewer and fewer people watch TV through an aerial but still watch the beeb's programing...

My mate works at the BBC, they have free biscuits in every meeting, quality ones too, no own brand rich tea rubbish.

He's obviously middle management, deputy head of chair straightening?

Personally, if they don't transmit the second series of "The Village" soon, I might write a strongly-worded letter of complaint to Paul Dacre.

recent Olympics coverage were worth the money on their own.

The sports footage is provided by the olympics themselves, the commentary and analysis was, with the odd exception, largely awful.

I used to head back to the UK with the idea of spending a couple of hours just enjoying being able to watch decent TV, in English. And every time it was a disappointment.

The vast majority of the time it seems to be celebrity chefs, people dancing, or snooker - fine if that's what you want, but hardly groundbreaking. American TV produces far better sitcoms and series, and while BBC News is fine, it's nothing special (at least compared to the Spanish news, similar quality).

Well 6music and World Service got saved, while BBC3 got axed.

BBC4 and the radio is what I use but as long as the innovations, like playlister, keep coming i'm happy.

Edit My £100+ quid was worth it to listen to John Cooper Clarke, watch Sherlock and download podcasts where I can learn how debate, not argue by ,listening to people much cleverer than myself.

A theory inversely applied to STW 🙂

Sorry.

Just realised this is part of a Woppit blanket trolling campaign.

cbeebies and cbbc is a step above any other childrens programming content from other channels - and there's no adverts

The vast majority of the time it seems to be celebrity chefs, people dancing, or snooker - fine if that's what you want, but hardly groundbreaking. American TV produces far better sitcoms and series, and while BBC News is fine, it's nothing special (at least compared to the Spanish news, similar quality).

Not surprising that American companies can produce a high standard of product. Their budgets are huge as is the potential audience.

If all you can see are cooking, dancing and snooker then you're obviously looking in the wrong places.

I don't watch a huge amount of stuff on the BBC these days, but I can't imagine a commercial company producing stuff like the Adventure Show or showing half the stuff that BBC4 airs.

Peston on the budget - aaagggghhh. Where is dear Steph when you want her!!!!

Davies on the radio from Newcastle (R4) was somewhere in between this morning. Still 400k from JPM is better than 120k from Auntie I guess....

I don't watch a huge amount of stuff on the BBC these days, but I can't imagine a commercial company producing stuff like the Adventure Show or showing half the stuff that BBC4 airs.

Agreed. See also the recent series of Lost Kingdoms, superb science stuff such as Light and Dark (Recent stuff from Jim Al-Khalili), etc.

As before, it's a bargain.

Everyones banging on about the telly, but the radio is worth the license fee alone. I listen to Radio 4, Five Live or Six Music pretty much all day. If you're in any doubt about this then listen to any commercial radio station for more than an hour. Go on. I dare you…

And come back and tell me its comparable. Oh… you won't be able to. Because within 15 minutes you'll have dashed your own brains out with a pointy rock rather than listen to another second of it. I know you're a free-market evangelist Wopster, but listening to commercial radio (that the divine, all-powerful 'market' has benevolently delivered) is like listening to the sound of a mental person screaming into a shipping container through a loudhailer. With some adverts..

Quite.

I do so hate to agree with you Binners, but I shall.

Oh, and can I add that I'd happily pay my license fee for TMS alone. 🙂

Anyone with kids will vouch for the fantastic quality of CBeebis and CBBC. Stuff like Horrible Histories and the genius of

[img] [/img]

Binners listens to Radio 4?

[img] [/img]

If all you can see are cooking, dancing and snooker then you're obviously looking in the wrong places.

I don't watch a huge amount of stuff on the BBC these days, but I can't imagine a commercial company producing stuff like the Adventure Show or showing half the stuff that BBC4 airs.

Probably, I don't return to the UK that often, and when I do I don't spend that much time in front of the TV. It's quite possible there are a few gems hidden in the rest of the crap.

Not seen the Adventure Show, but if Wiki/Google is to believed it's certainly a programme commercial companies could produce - "Desafío extremo" for example, is fairly similar.

(What I find I do miss from British TV is the British sense of humour - but that's not a quality thing, though).

Oh go on then. 😀

People who don't have a licence but watch the iPlayer:
Parasites.

People who don't have a television or a licence but watch the iPlayer:
Parasites who's kids are being bullied at school.

mogrim - let me get this right - you're rarely in the UK, so don't pay the license fee anyway? And when you are in the UK you don't watch much telly.

Thanks for your qualified input that its all crap 😆

Mogrim's viewing normally;

[img] [/img]

😉

I am not sure why, but I found [s]mr blobby's[/s] Noel Edmonds' admission that he doesn't have a licence rather funny (in an ironic kind of way)

Did he mention if he'd been quoted a price?

He was "banking" on not getting caught??

There was a biography of Noel Edmunds published a few years ago.

Well worth a read if you can get hold of a copy.
Not a nice man, no one has decent word to say about him.

binners - Member
mogrim - let me get this right - you're rarely in the UK, so don't pay the license fee anyway? And when you are in the UK you don't watch much telly.

Thanks for your qualified input that its all crap

😀 - it's the STW way.

However it is qualified - I head back to the UK every now and then, switch the TV on hoping to bask in the glory of great BBC programming, think this is crap and switch it off again. It's happened often enough I feel my comment is valid. I've also started watching it on some vaguely pirate channel over t'internet. But without paying, of course, and only Top Gear 🙂