Page 7 | Why the F should I tell BBC every year that I don’t watch TV ?

LadyGillingham · 2025-10-11T06:49:57+00:00

Why can’t they upgrade their subscriptions/licencing model like Netflix etc ? If you look at BBC corporation’s ownership, majority stakeholders are private Ltd companies and individuals. Why the f are they entitled to demand subscription fees from me for services I don’t use! The language in the emails is quite strong, I’m sure a lot of senior citizens just pay to not get into trouble. That’s extortion!

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:22

Luxio · 11/10/2025 12:19

So you're saying everyone who says they don't watch the bbc is a liar? If so there's not much point engaging in a reasonable discussion with you.

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Well I just think imagine the person declaring they never watch the bbc then sees that a thing they are really interested in is the subject of a programme on the bbc - are they realistically not watching it or are they tuning in despite their proclamations?

Thatmoves · 11/10/2025 12:20

All those having to actively “tell” the BBC that you don’t want the license…. How do you “tell” them?

Sesma · 11/10/2025 12:19

They can't do anything until its renewed in end of 2027, ultimately its the government that has the say in the matter of how its funded so they can't suddenly decide to do a subscription service, it's the government that sets the fee, Left wing governments are generally more in favour of the licence fee, hence Reform having it in their manifesto to get rid of it

Luxio · 11/10/2025 12:19

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:16

I don’t believe anyone that says they never watch the BBC. I just don’t. There will be something, be it sport or drama or traitors that they watch.

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So you're saying everyone who says they don't watch the bbc is a liar? If so there's not much point engaging in a reasonable discussion with you.

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:18

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/10/2025 12:10

Yep - even more revenue for their overpaid staff and ‘ talent’

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How much do Netflix pay folk? Like The Sussexes for example?

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:17

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/10/2025 12:13

See Zoe has had a pay decrease or is she only part time now ?

Pretty famously she no longer presents the radio 2 breakfast show. What’s your point?

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 11/10/2025 12:17

Whammyyammy · 11/10/2025 11:29

And many hope bbc will disappear

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Why? Genuine question. Are you saying you'd be happy for there to be no national broadcaster with a charter? I know the BBC has faults, but if it didn't exist we'd have ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 (all funded by advertising so more vulnerable to commercial pressure than the BBC is) and then we'd be at the mercy of the US owners of Netflix and so on, and the Murdoch family running Sky. Do you really think the schools programming and the niche musical programming you find on BBC radio would continue? I don't.

GinaDav · 11/10/2025 12:17

battairzeedurgzome · 11/10/2025 10:21

I never understand why so many people are terrified of a home visit. They just need to master a few useful phrases:

Remind me, what are your powers of entry?

Do you have a warrant?

No? Well, fuck off then.

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Who’s terrified? I just find it intrusive and an overreach. They don’t have an entitlement to demand anything of me. I’ll tell them if I decide to watch a television anytime in the future.

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:16

EasternStandard · 11/10/2025 12:13

It’s not compulsory to like BBC content or watch even.

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What do you like watching?

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:16

Luxio · 11/10/2025 12:14

But the point is a vast majority aren't breaking the rules and watching it without paying yet they act like everyone is doing exactly that as a default.

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I don’t believe anyone that says they never watch the BBC. I just don’t. There will be something, be it sport or drama or traitors that they watch.

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:15

OonaStubbs · 11/10/2025 12:14

Netflix and Sky don't assume that you are watching them illegally unless you can prove otherwise.

The BBC should just be shut down. It is a stupid anachronism in the modern media landscape.

Because their channels aren’t automatically put on your tv. You must recognise the difference surely? Anyone with half a brain (developed over years of watching interesting tv no doubt!) can work this out.

Luxio · 11/10/2025 12:14

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:11

They absolutely would if your were watching illegally. They clamped down on login sharing and would go further if people tried to get round the rules. Sky tv literally do it?

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But the point is a vast majority aren't breaking the rules and watching it without paying yet they act like everyone is doing exactly that as a default.

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:14

Seeingadistance · 11/10/2025 12:11

I don’t watch tv, so it is a complete waste of money for me.

Not everyone watches television!

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I remember the weird kids at school that didn’t have a tv right enough.

OonaStubbs · 11/10/2025 12:14

Netflix and Sky don't assume that you are watching them illegally unless you can prove otherwise.

The BBC should just be shut down. It is a stupid anachronism in the modern media landscape.

EasternStandard · 11/10/2025 12:13

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:08

Its content covers a vast array of things though so how can you say you don’t enjoy it?! If you’re interested in nature, there’s world class documentaries, drama is the same, kids tv etc etc. what do you watch on other channels?

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It’s not compulsory to like BBC content or watch even.

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/10/2025 12:13

See Zoe has had a pay decrease or is she only part time now ?

Why the F should I tell BBC every year that I don’t watch TV ?

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:11

SushiForMe · 11/10/2025 11:21

We would not accept this from any other service provider.

Just imagine if Netflix started sending everybody threatening letters and people at the door, and asking people to opt out every month. Also the opt put form is worded threateningly, and suggests that most people who opt out are fraudsters and are you sure you are not one of them? Because we will fine you 1000s of £ if that’s the case.

Would you be happy for Netflix to send this every year to everybody including elderly and vulnerable people?

Of course the system needs to be opt in, otherwise it is bullying.

They absolutely would if your were watching illegally. They clamped down on login sharing and would go further if people tried to get round the rules. Sky tv literally do it?

Seeingadistance · 11/10/2025 12:11

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:08

Its content covers a vast array of things though so how can you say you don’t enjoy it?! If you’re interested in nature, there’s world class documentaries, drama is the same, kids tv etc etc. what do you watch on other channels?

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I don’t watch tv, so it is a complete waste of money for me.

Not everyone watches television!

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/10/2025 12:10

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:09

Which wouldn’t be able to exist without buying content from other channels including the BBC.

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Yep - even more revenue for their overpaid staff and ‘ talent’

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/10/2025 12:09

National geographic is the absolute best natural history channel. Someone will mention the ancient ‘life on earth’ soon its like BBC bingo

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 11/10/2025 12:09

kirbykirby · 11/10/2025 11:56

I don't get your question. Nobody is stopping you from paying for the licence and watching the BBC or showing your grandson BBC programmes.

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Now that we have the option to subscribe to other broadcasters' output, there may well be a case for reviewing how our national broadcaster is funded. I agree with @Rosesfornoses that the BBC produces some really valuable stuff which commercial profit-driven broadcasters wouldn't do. If the licence fee model isn't working there should be some alternative put in place to ensure that children do have higher quality programmes and all the educational resources the BBC produces. Same goes for much of the radio output, BBC4 and the archive material.

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:09

LadyGillingham · 11/10/2025 11:52

Not for me and a lot of my friends. We enjoy Netflix.

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Which wouldn’t be able to exist without buying content from other channels including the BBC.

SALaw · 11/10/2025 12:08

x2boys · 11/10/2025 12:00

In your opinion,it's absolutely not worth the money if you don't enjoy the content it produces.

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Its content covers a vast array of things though so how can you say you don’t enjoy it?! If you’re interested in nature, there’s world class documentaries, drama is the same, kids tv etc etc. what do you watch on other channels?

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/10/2025 12:06

@kirbykirby why should I give them an ‘in’ to my email address? F**k that !

kirbykirby · 11/10/2025 12:05

x2boys · 11/10/2025 11:10

Yeah I have hundreds of them they start off quite gently reminding you, you don't have a licence, and they get increasingly threatening promising visits etc, then the whole cycle starts again such a waste of paper.

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Yep. Just think about how many trees have been cut down to make paper for these letters, so they can scare vulnerable people into paying for something that is not legally required. Surely it would be more environmentally friendly of them to just send an email.