Thanks myotherprofile, basinhaircut,
Re shatnerswig post - op caught!! Friends (which I adore) is hardly highbrow! And yes bloody expensive to make - though again I suspect they more than made the money back.
"The BBC is irrelevant" don't be ridiculous! It's informative, has a wide variety of programmes and is a key part of British culture.
"and we shouldn’t have to pay the nasty stealth tax that is the tv license" it's not compulsory, if you CHOOSE to watch live tv then yes you need to have a licence but nobody is forcing you, it's easier than ever to opt out. FYI the licence fee doesn't only cover BBC tv programming either. There's all the radio provision, an excellent website plus some licence fee money goes towards programming on non BBC channels that are in the public interest.
"They should go commercial or subscription, so people have the choice." you DO have a choice.
Commercial channels/programming most definitely does fall to "lowest common denominator" in many cases in order to ensure advertising revenue, there is programming on the BBC that would NEVER occur on other channels.
"Ah but until very recently there was no choice, was there? It was pay the licence and tough if you don't like what's on." Given we've had video since the 80's, while its easier & cheaper now with streaming & catch up services I know a good few people who have never even owned a tv or have chosen not to watch live tv and therefore not had a licence for many years - most of them are scots as part of my family are brethren and so don't have a tv or radio on religious grounds.
If you are indeed in NE Scotland I'm surprised if you're not already aware of this.
Watching tv even listening to radio is not compulsory, there are plenty of other things people can do to entertain/inform themselves.
"What they should do is actively block access for anyone who hasn't paid." I agree with this. Daft to just be able to click "I have a tv licence" on iplayer, no reason why licence holders can't log in using their licence number.
"And even when streaming became a thing, BBC were still cagey about whether you needed a licence or not" no it was always clear if people bothered to check the terms and conditions.
"Calling all of them "thick" is rude and narrow minded" totally agree!
"but I can't say I don't" absolutely NOBODY has said that! What we've said is you don't have the right just because YOU don't like it to say it should be cancelled!
Joyfullittlehippo excellent post at 1307
"The only way is see is of you watched solely video tapes and didn't have the aerial plugged in" yep! I know people who've done this.
The more you post op the more rude, aggressive and ignorant you sound!