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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the BBC will change or go under?

282 replies

Snowballs4ever · 16/12/2018 17:16

I don't know many people who watch the BBC, most people I know don't have a license and just have netflix, Amazon, now tv etc

I know it has some popular programmes, but I can't see how it will survive longer term when netflix etc are cheaper and imo have much better programmes. Am I in a bubble or aibu to think it will have to have to have adverts/change longer term?

OP posts:
AGHHHH · 16/12/2018 18:33

On the other hand, TV bored me a lot of the time when I did have it.

JaneJeffer · 16/12/2018 18:36

BBC4 has great documentaries for night owls

EverardDigby · 16/12/2018 18:36

This has just made me wonder why I buy a licence as neither teenage DD nor I watch live TV. She watches Netflix and we have Amazon Prime, I just rarely watch anything at all. I don't really listen to Radio 4 anymore, just Podcasts. I look at BBC weather and we use online GCSE revision though.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 16/12/2018 18:37

Killing eve, doctor Foster, bodyguard, Mastermind, only connect, University challenge are all reasons I pay my licence fee.

goldengummybear · 16/12/2018 18:38

I would happily pay for individual BBC programmes like Killing Eve but resent paying for channels that I very rarely listen to/watch.

I find it very difficult to believe that people who have TV sets watch no live telly ever I only watch recorded or on-demand programmes. Setting an alarm /clock watching in order to watch a TV programme live seems very archaic to me although I understand why people who watch sport do it.

JudgeRindersMinder · 16/12/2018 18:39

Just for clarity

To think the BBC will change or go under?
CatLadyToddlerMother · 16/12/2018 18:39

I have a license. My DD loves Cbeebies, and I also watch Eastenders, Casualty and the occasion other program on BBC1.

Many of my friends pay for their license as they'd rather have one and not need one than be struck with a fine.

KissingInTheRain · 16/12/2018 18:44

AGHHH

There’s plenty you can do, of course. You said you have PlayStation, DVDs and Netflix. And you get news via your phone. But if you don’t like movies or drama or news on TV why watch them in a different way?

How strange to say that you don’t watch TV but that you still want moving images on a screen in your house...Confused

GinDoll · 16/12/2018 18:46

We also don't watch any live TV or BBC. Haven't for years. Or house does not have an aerial. So no TV license. We do have Netflix, prime and Nowtv at the moment though. I don't see the point of the BBC, don't personally find their preogramming any better and feel the whole system is archaic... Just my two cents 😁

Cubrrt · 16/12/2018 18:50

don't personally find their preogramming any better
I agree with this, been really surprised with the quality of Netflix's own shows. Conversely, when I've visited family and ended up watching bbc1 or 2, it's weak comedy and stuff like strictly (that doesn't appeal time).

I'd happily pay for the bbc's website but their tv shows just don't appeal to me.

DianaT1969 · 16/12/2018 18:53

I find it very difficult to believe that people who have TV sets watch no live telly ever.

I don't. Haven't missed a thing.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 16/12/2018 18:54

They sell all their good shows to Netflix anyway
Yes, they do. Which, along with the licence fee, is how they can afford to make consistently good shows.

Rockbird · 16/12/2018 18:59

I think some people are deluded if they think that most people don't watch regular tv anymore. I would imagine the majority of the population do.

Thespace · 16/12/2018 19:01

I don’t think they do any more! As this thread shows. Also depends on the demographic. My parents in their 70s only watch scheduled tv and don’t have sky or Netflix whereas the young people I know in their teens and 20s don’t watch mainstream tv at all. No interest.

Cubrrt · 16/12/2018 19:03

@Rockbird
I agree that a decent majority still watch live tv but it used to be almost everyone. I'm mid 30s and know a lot of people that (at least claim) not to watch live TV anymore and I think that segment will rapidly grow.

KissingInTheRain · 16/12/2018 19:03

I don't. Haven't missed a thing.

How do you know?

And it does seem improbable that anyone who’s online hasn’t watched broadcasting output in one form or another. (Not that seeing it on a website or YouTube means you need a licence; but to avoid all BBC news reports, for example, you’d have to actively shun all news of the outside world if you’re online.)

Petalflowers · 16/12/2018 19:06

I watch live bbc tv.

DianaT1969 · 16/12/2018 19:06

@KissingInTheRain
95% of households in the UK require a licence.
Can you link to your source?

Are you deliberately ignoring the change that has taken place in viewing habits over the last 5 years or so? Or perhaps you don't hang out with young people? The OP was asking if the BBC, as it is, is sustainable. I'm not young, but I have limited free time and want to watch a series at my leisure - not that of BBC scheduling. I also like many US boxsets. I wait until a whole series is available on Netflix (Better Call Saul, The Good Wife, House of Cards, Peaky Blinders..) and binge over a free weekend or watch on my ipad when travelling. Yes, I used to watch TV with my family in the evening, My mum looked forward to Eatenders or Corrie, but that was 35 years ago. Times change.

Cubrrt · 16/12/2018 19:08

@KissingInTheRain

I feel your wilfully misunderstanding other posters.

I don't. Haven't missed a thing = I don't have live tv any more and don't miss it.

And the other poster who, by the sounds of things, doesn't watch tv (or similar) regularly but buys certain DVDs. I don't think they're watching DVDs every evening.

WhoWants2Know · 16/12/2018 19:08

In the past year, I watched some of The Apprentice on IPlayer because my oldest wanted to. That's it. The rest has all been Netflix, and mostly original programming. TV and radio reception where I live is shit, and I resent having to pay money to avoid having people come bother me about it.

KissingInTheRain · 16/12/2018 19:08

the young people I know in their teens and 20s don’t watch mainstream tv at all. No interest.

That is a fair point. But the way it works economically means that they will start watching TV when the price of on-demand reaches a certain point. We’re in a period when people will change their habits, but then change back again.

DianaT1969 · 16/12/2018 19:09

Many of my friends pay for their license as they'd rather have one and not need one than be struck with a fine.
Gosh, by that logic I'd better get a dog licence and pay road tax. I don't have a dog or a car.

Vinorosso74 · 16/12/2018 19:11

We permanently have BBC6 music on the radio. Reasonable bit of BBC TV is watched-DD watches stuff on CBBC, me and DP watch stuff on BBC 1, 2 and 4. Their news especially political stuff seems Tory leaning but in comparison to Sky or ITN it's not at all. I think that is down to Laura whatshername rather than the BBC.

Cubrrt · 16/12/2018 19:12

That is a fair point. But the way it works economically means that they will start watching TV when the price of on-demand reaches a certain point. We’re in a period when people will change their habits, but then change back again.

I doubt it. I think it's far more likely Netflix or other platforms will embrace advertising in the future (like youtube already does). Maybe with a premium price for ad-free services.

Littleraindrop15 · 16/12/2018 19:12

Thanks this reminds me i need to cancel our subscription. Don't watch any live tv always netflix and amazon. Cant stand all the adverts on normal channels

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