To think it's a terrible idea to scrap the BBC licence fee?

[dellacucina]

Inspired by this article: www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1242927/BBC-News-Boris-Johnson-license-fee-subscription-British-Broadcasting-Corporation/amp

I'm recently naturalised and I think that the BBC is part of what makes Britain special. It makes me very sad indeed to imagine it being cut down.

I’m becoming very disturbed by the decimation of the media at the hands of this current govt.

Absolutely there will be an agenda behind it, it’s all terrifyingly similar to 1930’s Germany or 1984.

“Disinviting” the press, limiting the information they give news media, censoring news media, and now this.

I’m also not convinced it won’t actually be a tv licence just under another name so the subscription fee will still be pretty much compulsory as the licence fee is now.

We also desperately need a public uncensored non-commercial broadcasting service.

More now than ever!

I mostly watch streaming services now but there are certain programmes made and aired on bbc that would never get the go ahead on commercial channels which I think ARE important.

I’m thinking particularly of history, current affairs, natural history, politics, social affairs.

The news service is pretty reliable and is still my default source.

Personally I also like the quiz shows, they still sometimes make excellent dramas and I like the panel shows.

There are many here on mn who listen to radio 4 too that’s funded by the licence fee and I think much of that content wouldn’t appeal to commercial interests.

It would also I think stifle the support for new music.

I also get a great deal of use out of the website not just for news but recipes and educational information.

BUT I do think it’s unacceptable to pretty much force people who don’t watch or listen to bbc or use the website to be charged simply by virtue of having a tv.

The vast majority of us now have smart TVs or are watching/listening on digital devices. Absolutely no reason with modern tech why they couldn’t block access to non-licence holders by virtue of requiring a log in using licence number to access bbc content.

Very simple to do.

I do also think they need to be more sensible about what they’re paying the “celebrities” I’d far rather see new presenters and actors given a chance rather than see the same old faces all the time!

“Do we even need a state broadcaster these days?

Everybody needs access to some sort of news but it doesn't matter if it's another Freeview channel like ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5 imo.”

Are you aware of who owns and therefore controls the content of commercial channel news?

It’s a very small number of very wealthy people including Rupert Murdoch who in my and many others opinions have very disturbing and anti-democratic agendas.

THAT is why a (admittedly “supposedly” as nothing is really unbiased) impartial, especially NEWS broadcaster IS important.

Good, if people want to listen to bbc bias and propaganda they can pay for it.

"It's absurdly good value"

Only to people who actually want the BBC
You are demanding that others fund your entertainment, instead of paying for it yourself

Some of those paying your bloody licence fee are struggling from month to month to pay the rent, school unifrom, even food

Disgusting that privileged people want the poor to subsidise their fun

I do use the BBC and would probably subscribe.

I listen to radio 4 for 15 mins in the morning
I watched “dark materials”
I’m sure I’ve seen some other documentaries
I use the BBC news site

I just don’t think that anyone else should subsidise what I watch/listen to

The issue is that the BBC isn't impartial anymore.

@x2boys it is good value even if you never watch it because it makes the country a better place. It improves our standing in the world and provides a service like local news that is very beneficial for communities.

There are loads of things my taxes pay for that I don't use, but in happy to pay for because they're part of living in a civilised country.

For another thing, Netflix and Disney etc are mostly US content. I'm happy that our culture isn't totally swamped by American stuff.

I say fund the Beeb from general taxation.

So would you do that by raising taxes or cutting current spending?

Even if the BBC were the most briliant, impartial service in the world, it still shouldn't be funded by a compulsory licence fee

A flat rate tax is the most unfair kind of tax, especially on the poor

Anyway, when the BBC was founded, a licence fee made sense because there weren't any other TV channels in the UK
Now there are hundreds,
so everyone should be able to choose which ones they want
and not pay for those they don't

Also bbc catch up is just the worst, their programmes disappear so quick, as opposed to say, channel 4, who’s content is available for a much lengthier periods of time.
Pretty disgusting that you can be put in prison for not paying a fee to them, and they can’t even provide you with a basic service in line with the competition

Get rid, Im sick of having to forcibly pay for a service I dont want or watch with the fear of being fined or jailed for non payment of the licence.

And those overseas watching for free

• Are you aware of who owns and therefore controls the content of commercial channel news?

It’s a very small number of very wealthy people including Rupert Murdoch who in my and many others opinions have very disturbing and anti-democratic agendas.

THAT is why a (admittedly “supposedly” as nothing is really unbiased) impartial, especially NEWS broadcaster IS important.*

I am aware and personally don't watch tv news at all. I get my news online from several sources including non-UK places.

The BBC is not impartial and certainly no less biased than commercial channels.

There are loads of things my taxes pay for that I don't use, but in happy to pay for because they're part of living in a civilised country.

I'm happy for my taxes to pay for essential services I don't use, but I think everyone should pay for their own entertainment, as this isn't an essential service.

Many people know this but don't care enough to pay 150 quid per year

You want to continue forcing them, even those who can't afford it and never use it

Really surprised at posters referencing local news

BBC local is pointless. Preset stories, no news at all.

Five years ago id agree, now i never watch bbc tv but have to pay this tax. Bbc has been dummed down sadly. Time for this tax to go too sadly.

Its a tax
It’s lovely that naturalised citizens think it is quaint.
We don’t. It’s a tax
They show endless repeats and mediocre programmes
It’s a tax we could do without, while we are actually paying for the programmes we want to watch.
It’s a tax.
If you like it, you pay for it.
Yes poor people get imprisoned, when they can’t afford to pay for this callous tax.
It’s a tax, and sane people hate it.
It’s a tax that we don’t want or need.
The BBC is defunct, an anachronism

I agree, Autumnrose. 'Local' news translates to 'news about the biggest city in your region, even if it's 50 miles away and completely irrelevant.'

And if you try to watch it in HD you get a message that they can't broadcast your area's news in HD yet. Really?

Oh, and now we've lost BBC 4 in HD where I live too. Service getting smaller, fee getting bigger.

Just put Country File on and I kid you not (pun intended) they are covering goat yoga 🤦‍♀️ It’s a mystery why people are going off the bbc.

You don't need a license to listen to the radio ( ever)

A black & white licence is approx £54 per year

You can declare that you don't watch BBC live TV or catch up TV via letter or on the web. Although the BBC have recently included TVs & other devices like iPads, mobiles etc

Free BBC for elderly changes this year, some people will be able to claim. However, they will need to follow a new claim process

Also BBC Scotland should just rename itself BBC Glasgow.

"...In the digital age we're in I think it's ridiculous that you can be threatened with prosecution for not paying for a service you don't use...."
(@fluffyaragog)

Spot on.

You can declare that you don't watch BBC live TV or catch up TV via letter or on the web

I did think this was the case. That if you don’t use the service you can opt out.

I get so much from the BBC I'd be sad to see it decimated.
I love radio 1, 2 and 4 at different times, loads of the tv programs and I rely a lot on cbeebies for the kids. Also used bitesize loads in the past. Netflix didnt help me with GCSE revision!
Use the website for my news and always use it for weather.
Use it for sports results too! I'd be sad to see any of that go.
Also, a lot of channels simply couldnt afford stuff like attenborough's documentaries.

but is it really worth £150 a year not to have adverts on the radio?

It's definitely worth it for that plus the sheer quality of programmes. I love it that I can turn no R4 and hear someone talking about something totally quirky and uncommercial. All of that would disappear if they became reliant on selling advertising.