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AIBU?

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Original poster

to hope the news that non-payment of the BBC tv will be decriminalised and changed towards a subscription type service are true?

38 replies

mothertruck3r · 16/12/2019 12:23

I've just read that the Government are planning on decriminalising non-payment of the tv licence (which currently clogs up the courts and punishes some of the poorest and most vulnerable in society) and instead plans to change the licence fee to a Netflix style subscription system.

I think this is the right way to go. Those that like the BBC can pay to subscribe just as people who like Sky pay to subscribe. Those that don't, wouldn't have to pay and wouldn't have access to any BBC content. Sounds fair and the BBC would have to compete just like other broadcasters currently do.

OP posts:
Original poster
mothertruck3r · 16/12/2019 12:24

Sorry, that should say "licence" in the title.

OP posts:
CakeandCustard28 · 16/12/2019 12:25

Yes I’ve heard about this. It’s true not sure when it’s coming into play though. About time though, imagine being in prison and having to tell people your in for not paying a TV licence! So out dated and wrong, BBC should just get with the times and put adverts on their channels.

MustardScreams · 16/12/2019 12:25

After the BBC’s performance over the election period (looking at you Kuenssberg) then I’m all for this. It’s time for things to change for them.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:26

BBC should just get with the times and put adverts on their channels.

Fuck that! I hate adverts.

Jillyhilly · 16/12/2019 12:27

Very much in favour of this. Hope it happens.

scaryteacher · 16/12/2019 12:28

I don't mind paying the licence for the radio content that the BBC puts out. Having not had a licence for a while as we lived abroad, it's cheaper than paying for the streamed service we had in Belgium.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:28

Those that don't, wouldn't have to pay and wouldn't have access to any BBC content

From a technical point of view, how would that work for people withjust a TV and an ariel?

Hingeandbracket · 16/12/2019 12:28

BBC should just get with the times and put adverts on their channels.
BBC TV and radio are already lousy with adverts. For the BBC.

Hingeandbracket · 16/12/2019 12:29

Fuck that! I hate adverts. Me too -especially the over dramatic ones the BBC puts on for Knobenders, Strictly it whatever sport is on

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:31

The ones for shit products are far worse than trailers for TV programmes.

Original poster
mothertruck3r · 16/12/2019 12:31

I suppose the BBC could always offer higher subscription rates for advert-free content for those who want to watch without adverts?

OP posts:
DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:32

How do you take adverts out of a tv programme that is being broadcast and watched "as live"?

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:32

At least the bbc trailers are at the end of programmes rather than scattered throughout to stop the flow of the programme.

EtInTerraPax · 16/12/2019 12:34

Soupy- I thought there was no analogue signal any more? Anyone wanting to get television channels needs some sort of set top box etc now, don't they? (We don't have television, nor a licence, but we're not criminals- it's only illegal to watch stuff without a licence, not illegal not to have one OP)

AudacityOfHope · 16/12/2019 12:36

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marmitedreams · 16/12/2019 12:37

Can’t wait for the license fee to be scrapped. It is an anachronism.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:38

I thought there was no analogue signal any more?

I must confess that I haven't a clue - I've had cable since 1995 😂

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:39

half-conscious pensioners watching the morning shows, for example.

That's very rude.

greenlobster · 16/12/2019 12:40

Sounds like a bloody brilliant idea. My TV license arrived in the post this morning and really wasn't too happy to be reminded that I'm paying £12 - £13 a month for the privilege of watching the BBC approximately 3 times a year.

Lllot5 · 16/12/2019 12:41

I really don’t want adverts in the middle of programs though. I purposely don’t watch itv ‘live’ but afterwards can skip the adverts.

AlexaShutUp · 16/12/2019 12:41

I'm obviously in a minority here, but I still believe in the concept of public service broadcasting and I'd be very sad to see everything go down a commercial route. I do think the BBC needs reform, but not along these lines.

smemorata · 16/12/2019 12:43

I would like to watch it abroad and would gladly pay for that.

AudacityOfHope · 16/12/2019 12:47

Not really @DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn I meant they've been lulled to sleep by the terrible progamming Grin

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 12:48

Yes, really.

evilharpyinapeartree · 16/12/2019 12:53

I would be happy to see it moving to a subscription-only service. We don't have live TV at all (aerial issues), subscribe to Netflix and Prime and don't use iplayer. I see the odd BBC programme in someone else's house but generally we wait until they make it to Netflix - it's not like we're short of things to watch. Nor do we listen to BBC radio (it's all Spotify and podcasts these days) although a licence isn't required for the radio as far as I know, it's TV only. Consequently we don't pay for a TV licence and have to declare every couple of years that we still don't require one (and they still threaten to visit to check up on us - if they did we wouldn't let them in anyway). It should be opt in rather than having to opt out.