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Original poster

How long until the License Fee is dropped?

188 replies

mumofoneAloneandwell · 30/03/2026 22:07

I reckon by the end of this year, it will begin being phased out.

I am sad about it.

OP posts:
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Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:28

BIossomtoes · 30/03/2026 23:26

He reckoned it was against the Beeb’s partiality rules for an MP to appear in their own constituency. It isn’t, he was too scared to face his own constituents which is probably why he won’t hold surgeries there.

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And he's very wise in the present political climate -

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgx9nyep7vo

randomchap · 30/03/2026 23:27

CliantheLang · 30/03/2026 23:25

Do try to keep up. Transing the gay is the epitomy of homophobia.

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What's with all the sympathy reactions to my posts?

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 30/03/2026 23:27

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 22:42

I don't agree.

We aren't supposed to get adverts on the Beeb, but every time I look it's showing adverts for what's on.

It's so Left Wing and woke it's nearly coming back on itself.

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Yes, I hate that too: all the constant 'non-advert' adverts. Endless trailers for their own programmes, for their other output, for iPlayer, for how great they believe they are, for the TV licence itself, party political adverts (I know they don't have any choice in the latter at the moment).

It does make me wonder whether swapping all of these for other adverts selling beans, toothpaste or Center Parcs or whatever would materially make much difference to the viewer experience.

BIossomtoes · 30/03/2026 23:26

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:24

He (Farage) didn't "pop up" on Question time last week, even though it was from Clacton !

Edited
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He reckoned it was against the Beeb’s partiality rules for an MP to appear in their own constituency. It isn’t, he was too scared to face his own constituents which is probably why he won’t hold surgeries there.

PottingBench · 30/03/2026 23:26

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:24

He (Farage) didn't "pop up" on Question time last week, even though it was from Clacton !

Edited
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To be fair, the chances of catching Farage in Clacton are slim.

CliantheLang · 30/03/2026 23:25

randomchap · 30/03/2026 23:08

What is your issue with Pride exactly?

Homophobia can fuck right off

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Do try to keep up. Transing the gay is the epitomy of homophobia.

WhaleEye · 30/03/2026 23:25

iplayer currently has lots of adverts reminding people to pay the licence fee.

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:24

BIossomtoes · 30/03/2026 23:22

Who are obsessed with him? It’s difficult not to be aware of him when he pops up on Question Time every few weeks. For some unfathomable reason Zia Yusuf was on Kuenssberg yesterday.

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He (Farage) didn't "pop up" on Question time last week, even though it was from Clacton !

Wtafdidido · 30/03/2026 23:23

They will probably go down the line of Ireland in that if a household has my device on which programmes can be watched or even has a tv in the property broken or not they will be required to have a licence. Whether you watch or not is irrelevant in Ireland. Just ownership of a tv is enough

BIossomtoes · 30/03/2026 23:22

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:17

They are obsessed with Farage, same as Starmer. That's why he (Starmer) has a pop at him every PMQ.

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Who are obsessed with him? It’s difficult not to be aware of him when he pops up on Question Time every few weeks. For some unfathomable reason Zia Yusuf was on Kuenssberg yesterday.

ReyRey12 · 30/03/2026 23:22

Some countries have turned the license fee into a media tax that everyone has to pay. I think this will be the next step.

Original poster
mumofoneAloneandwell · 30/03/2026 23:22

TightlyLacedCorset · 30/03/2026 23:21

The BBC 'left wing'

Oh that's really got me laughing my socks off, and I need them on, as it's not exactly warm here.

And no, trans/LGBTQ simply presenting are not either 'left or right wing' (god are we becoming like Americans for whom even everyday minute things, like what form of dairy you drink, or hobby you indulge in, is now left or right)

People who address themselves as such exist. Yes their personal views may fall within either of those categories, but they aren't 'Left or Right' in and of themselves.

A man presenting the news in a dress may not be up one's particular street, but it doesn't say anything about their political beliefs.

Wasn't dame Edna a bit anti trans or something?

OP posts:
TightlyLacedCorset · 30/03/2026 23:21

The BBC 'left wing'

Oh that's really got me laughing my socks off, and I need them on, as it's not exactly warm here.

And no, trans/LGBTQ simply presenting are not either 'left or right wing' (god are we becoming like Americans for whom even everyday minute things, like what form of dairy you drink, or hobby you indulge in, is now left or right)

People who address themselves as such exist. Yes their personal views may fall within either of those categories, but they aren't 'Left or Right' in and of themselves.

A man presenting the news in a dress may not be up one's particular street, but it doesn't say anything about their political beliefs.

Original poster
mumofoneAloneandwell · 30/03/2026 23:20

Belgic · 30/03/2026 22:51

What are the taxes that we do consent to?

I pay tax because the law says I should do. I don’t do it voluntarily or from some moral impulse.

This!

😄😄😄😄

OP posts:
Wolmando · 30/03/2026 23:19

randomchap · 30/03/2026 23:16

Well done, you've pointed out a typo. Aren't you special. Give yourself a good star.

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A typo, it's in the thread title, though maybe it was the new friendly AI helper.

PottingBench · 30/03/2026 23:17

Catza · 30/03/2026 23:11

I'm not suggesting there aren't public service broadcasters or that they aren't funded from a state budget. However, I can assure you that my European family never once received a threatening letter to their home address or have a man with a lanyard show up on their doorstep demanding to check whether they are watching live television and they have never been threatened with legal action or taken to court. How much money is BBC wasting on this malarkey? £166 million a year according to some sources.

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So what exactly did you mean when you said "other countries somehow manage without a license fee"?

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 30/03/2026 23:17

Changingplace · 30/03/2026 22:44

This is pretty much what the culture secretary has said very recently, it’s going nowhere;

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/17/lisa-nandy-vows-bbc-permanent-charter-political-interference

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I think it's easy to conflate the two, though: the BBC itself and the TV licence as a way of funding it. There's no reason why losing the latter means the loss of the former.

As well as a great deal of bad, I think there's a tremendous amount of good about what the BBC offers. If it's world-class broadcasting and the envy of the world (which I think it is), why would they be worried about asking people to pay to subscribe to it? Surely they'll be lining up in droves to pay, so as not to lose it; or otherwise it's rubbish and nobody will want or mourn it - both can't be true.

We will gladly continue to pay, as the BBC content is worth it to us; but it seems phenomenally nasty to be even considering forcing poor households (who may not even be able to afford a TV set) to pay an additional £15 a month or whatever tax for something that they don't want and won't use to enable wealthier people to get the TV and radio that they want at a discount. A bit like making people who can't even afford to use the bus pay to bring down the price of a new Tesla a bit for those who buy one.

EasternStandard · 30/03/2026 23:17

Wolmando · 30/03/2026 23:10

I bet everyone on this thread that wants to keep it leans left

Generally yes. The left would be mad to get rid of it. They’re losing funds so Labour might try to get money in other ways rather than give people the choice.

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:17

Changingplace · 30/03/2026 23:14

And yet the BBC gives them a platform in the name of impartiality, hardly the actions of an organisation that is significantly left leaning.

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They are obsessed with Farage, same as Starmer. That's why he (Starmer) has a pop at him every PMQ.

randomchap · 30/03/2026 23:16

Wolmando · 30/03/2026 23:15

And if you are in the UK it's licence not license

Well done, you've pointed out a typo. Aren't you special. Give yourself a good star.

Wolmando · 30/03/2026 23:15

And if you are in the UK it's licence not license

BIossomtoes · 30/03/2026 23:14

Wolmando · 30/03/2026 23:13

Reform want rid of the licence

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Which is an indication of their idiocy. The only other outlet that would give them the amount of coverage the Beeb does is the Reforn channel GB News.

Changingplace · 30/03/2026 23:14

Wolmando · 30/03/2026 23:13

Reform want rid of the licence

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And yet the BBC gives them a platform in the name of impartiality, hardly the actions of an organisation that is significantly left leaning.

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 23:14

BIossomtoes · 30/03/2026 23:11

I think that’s highly unlikely given the degree of exposure it gives Reform.

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What exposure?

I must have been asleep at the wheel because i haven't seen a bias that way.