To think they should reduce the size of the BBC and cut the license fee?

[bluewedge]

I think BBC 4 is great for example... but would those shows not have fitted on BBC 2 in previous years...

It certainly isn't value for money at all. I haven't watched a BBC channel in years.

The license model should be scrapped. If people want to watch/listen to BBC channels they can pay a subscription. Those that don't, shouldn't have to pay.

If you think it's great, carry on paying for it. Why should I pay for the BBC when I only watch other channels?

For the same reason that you (if you pay tax) pay for many other services that you may or may not use, schools, leisure centres, allotments, social care, emergency services, libraries etc. A state broadcaster providing a huge variety of content including news independent of government or media mogul is something to be proud of. We all contribute whether or not we enjoy every programme because it adds to our society and culture. It's also very good value.

The conservatives are doing a great job of turning people against the bbc, but it's worth asking yourself why. Are they campaigning on your behalf because they care passionately about saving you your three quid a week?

I do think they should get rid of the licence fee and fund it through general taxation, that way it would be effectively means tested for everyone and fairer. And might even end the boring licence fee arguments.

"Not sure if the licence fee is the best mechanism but sweet god, having lived all over the world we should be shouting from the rooftops how fab it is."

I agree. Compared to every other country I've lived in/been to, the UK has amazing TV, particularly factual/political stuff. I used to live in Japan, and my God, the drivel they get there.

I've just moved abroad and I really miss the BBC channels. I even miss Bing .

I would happily pay the licence fee to gain access to all the channels and iPlayer.

Those saying it is ‘worth it’ because they like the content are missing the point.

The licence fee is compulsory so those that don’t like it and don’t watch it are subsidising those that do. And it is a ‘poll tax’, similar to the one that ultimately brought down Margaret Thatcher, the poor are subsidising the rich.

The BBC in the 21st century should stick to a small public service remit and be a lot cheaper and the (much reduced) licence fee should come from general taxation.

Those saying they would ‘happily pay twice the money’ for the BBC would be able to, via a subscription model for the non public service content.

I am happy to pay for the BBC regardless of what model they use for payment.

I must admit that people who say they never watch any BBC output whatsoever mystify me. Do they never watch comedy, music, sport, films, documentaries, David Attenborough, travel shows, drama, crime drama, cookery shows, other lifestyle TV, news, quiz shows, soaps, reality TV, children's TV, educational programmes, religion, wildlife programmes, big events?

Do they really say "oh it's on BBC1/2/4 so I won't watch it"?

Do some people really only limit their screen time to watching films and nothing else? Do they like it when commercial channels show big sporting events only for the programme to be cut at a crucial time to show adverts? I believe this was a complaint when channel 4 starting showing F1 or was it cricket?

Admittedly there are a few from the above list that don't interest me - soaps, sport, reality TV, children's TV, religion for example, but I think in general that the BBC has something for everyone. This includes BBC commissioned programmes that are sold to streaming channels like Netflix.

As the TV licence covers all TV viewing I have to include the GBBO as an unmissable show for me (C4), sadly not on this year. And as for repeats, all channels are relying heavily on repeats just now because they can’t make new programmes.

It wouldn't be so bad I'd they didn't send their thugs round. I don't drive but they don't send people round demanding to know why I don't pay road tax.

The total misinformation on this thread shows how tricky a line the BBC has to walk.

Clearly it's not half a pence per day, clearly they don't fly reporters around the world to report on how windy it is, clearly there are not a large number of women being imprisoned for refusing to pay. And that's before you even get the people coming on to say it's all a leftist conspiracy and the others to say it's too right wing.

My issue is that if we lose the BBC, we lose even an effort at independent news, we ensure that our population sees FAR more advertising, and we lose a lot of creative talent development that is driven by the BBC investing in things like those light entertainment shows.

We'll only reliae what we had in the BBC when it no longer exists.

It's not perfect, but for news/documentaries/arts/drama/sport etc it is world class.

Would you rather have Fox News, RT, the biased Indian media? Get your news only from the Daily Mail website or the Guardian website?

The BBC regularly gets accused of bias, but figures suggest they are equally accused by the left and the right, so they must be doing somethng right!

Because the BBC is a public broadcaster it has more responsibilities re. fact checking. They do mostly hold their hands up when they get stuff wrong. They have groundbreaking reportage.

As said above, it's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more pefect than most media outlets.

It's terrifying that so many people would rather get their 'news' from social media. Have a listen to this - broadcast about half an hour ago on R4

How to Cure Viral Misinformation

@Cadent

I have netflix too but increasingly hate it. It depresses me

I found that the other day! Scrolling through made for —TV— Netflix low budget movies. I’ve been keeping my subscription going because I thought Stranger Things 4 was coming but looks like it won’t be this year. May just cancel for a bit.

Netflix is just so much tosh. Overwhelming tosh to scroll through that i can't be bothered to watch anything at all even if "allegedly " good. The only good stuff on Netflix is actually bbc or itv stuff! I hate it and would get rid in an instant but my teen daughter pays for it.

I completely disagree with you. The BBC is utterly amazing in myriad ways. In our uncertain times with an increasingly fragmented society and fake news I feel that its role is even more important. Its news and children's programming is truly amazing.

@larrygrylls

Those saying it is ‘worth it’ because they like the content are missing the point.

The licence fee is compulsory so those that don’t like it and don’t watch it are subsidising those that do. And it is a ‘poll tax’, similar to the one that ultimately brought down Margaret Thatcher, the poor are subsidising the rich.

The BBC in the 21st century should stick to a small public service remit and be a lot cheaper and the (much reduced) licence fee should come from general taxation.

Completely disagree and think exact opposite. I love the way we pay for the bbc. I think of it more like the way we pay for the nhs or schools or bin collection. We all conribute what is a small amount ( those posters saying it is expensive are being a bit silly) and can watch/ listen as much or as little as we want - a public good for us all.

Not sure why people are saying that BBC news is impartial. Maybe that was a bit true once, but not any more.

Another one happy to pay the licence fee just for Radio 4 and BBC news

What about all the jobs is provides?

@User50000999788887876655

What about all the jobs is provides?

What about them? Lots of companies provide jobs but don't send threatening letters if you dont buy their products.

I'm happy to pay a fee for BBC but I'm not convinced about the compulsory nature of the license fee.

Completely disagree and think exact opposite. I love the way we pay for the bbc. I think of it more like the way we pay for the nhs or schools or bin collection.
We all conribute what is a small amount ( those posters saying it is expensive are being a bit silly) and can watch/ listen as much or as little as we want - a public good for us all.
Easy for you to say it's small amount when you have plenty of money. If it's like the NHS or schools or council tax, it should be charged on ability to pay not a blanket price.

@LastTrainEast

Not sure why people are saying that BBC news is impartial. Maybe that was a bit true once, but not any more.

I genuinely don't notice any bias. I am not at all political and am so uninterested in politics it would have to have the extremes of fascism and communism for me to notice. The political nuances just go over my head.

Honeybobbin - well said, totally agree. Subscription for those who want to pay is the way forward rather than forcing other people to subsidise their choices. It's totally unfair and anachronistic.

I couldn't imagine a company like netflix/sky/itv producing anything as important as the David Attenborough nature/environmental documentaries.

The radio stations such as 6 music champion new musicians and have shows that other commercial stations wouldn't have such as the folk show.

The world service is a great example of soft power, the world would be poorer informed without it.

Would programs such as Good Omens/His Dark Materials have been made without the BBC? Doubtful

Although it does have it's flaws, it's still a massive positive both here and abroad.

I’m a big fan of the BBC. I would happily pay my license fee for R4 & TMS on their own. Even I would acknowledge that criminalisation of non-payment is indefensible and must end. If the BBC is to have a future it must be as a subscription-based service that people pay for because they want to, not because they could be prosecuted if they don’t.

Netflix have made a David Attenborough documentary series, and Good Omens was made by Amazon as well as the BBC.

Stuck for that was me that said the licence was half p per day - I had a moment of maths brain fart !! I know it isn't half a penny 😂