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AIBU?

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Original poster

To turn the BBC into a subscription service would be unfair...

90 replies

greencrosscode · 20/04/2021 18:43

As has been proposed as it would give the BBC an unfair advantage over Netflix or similar companies..

As the BBC was designed to fit 20th century technology...

OP posts:
sashh · 21/04/2021 10:13

The BBC has never been a 'public service' unless that public is male.

It has got slightly better in recent years.

I really resented paying for it int he 1980/90s so much crap, particularly the 'comedy' and the sport = men's sport, usually football with a bit of snooker

I wish it was subscription then I could opt out.

stackemhigh · 23/04/2021 11:39

Schrodingersimmigrant

Because bbc made them.

That makes no sense. So people should pay the license fee just because the shows they're watching on Netflix were once on the BBC? Very peculiar logic.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 23/04/2021 11:43

@stackemhigh

Schrodingersimmigrant

Because bbc made them.

That makes no sense. So people should pay the license fee just because the shows they're watching on Netflix were once on the BBC? Very peculiar logic.

There is nothing peculiar. The money went into creating them. If there are no money the shows wouldn't be on Netflix because they wouldn't be made.

Kind of like saying why we need fishermen when I can buy fish in tesco. Wouldn't be there without them

safariboot · 23/04/2021 11:53

The BBC going subscription-only cannot work without making a lot of people buy new equipment, and making an avoidable mountain of e-waste.

A subscription funded BBC will also be forced to create what sells, not what matters.

The license fee should be abolished, which I can't see happening because the Tories gave Crapita a juicy billion-pound contract to 'administer' it. But copying Netflix is not the answer.

littlepattilou · 23/04/2021 11:58

They won't do it, because they KNOW most people won't subscribe. I wouldn't. I don't watch anything on there except Doctor Who, and the odd drama. I could live without it.

It's too left leaning, too 'woke,' and too politically correct for my liking.

I think it SHOULD be subscription only. And there is nothing unfair about making it that way.

littlepattilou · 23/04/2021 11:59

@Cheeseandlobster

What about all those over 75 on a low income in receipt of pension credits. They get their licence for free. I bet many of them wouldnt pay a subscription or couldnt afford to
It's not just those over 75 who have a low income! Hmm
GrandTheftWalrus · 23/04/2021 12:00

Someone told me I needed a TV licence to watch netflix because there are old BBC programmes on it. I contacted TV licensing and asked and they said no so I cancelled my licence as I only watch netflix and Disney

HollowTalk · 23/04/2021 12:04

I wonder how many 20-30 year olds actually pay for a TV licence, if they're in their own home.

PegPeople · 23/04/2021 12:08

@HollowTalk

I wonder how many 20-30 year olds actually pay for a TV licence, if they're in their own home.
Not a scientific study at all but I'm in this age category and not one of the people I know in this age bracket who lives independently pays for the TV licence.

The only people I know who have it are those who still live with their parents and their parents pay for it.

SallySycamore · 23/04/2021 12:15

I think being a public broadcaster gives them scope to do things other people can't — I'm not sure I can see anybody else taking on the Proms. I also like the fact they maintain several orchestras and the only full-time professional choir in the UK.

How would it work practically? Not everybody has a smart television hooked up to the internet.

Alwaysandforeverhere · 23/04/2021 12:19

We cancelled our tv licence. We only use Netflix, prime and YouTube. Only people I know these day who pay for a licence are those who have sky/virgin type subscriptions.

stackemhigh · 23/04/2021 12:29

Schrodinger

There is nothing peculiar. The money went into creating them. If there are no money the shows wouldn't be on Netflix because they wouldn't be made.

Kind of like saying why we need fishermen when I can buy fish in tesco. Wouldn't be there without them

Aside from anything, the streamers are spending billions on content each year.

No one should feel obliged to pay for the license fee if they’re not watching live TV /iPlayer just to support the BBC. That’s madness.

planplan · 23/04/2021 12:36

Paying £160 a year just to watch Line of Duty Confused

VegCheeseandCrackers · 23/04/2021 12:41

It's kind of a subscription service already is it not? With the TV license I mean.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 23/04/2021 12:45

The licence fee needs to go and I do think they should turn iplayer into a subscription service like Netflix, charge between £6 and £8 a month- I would pay this. I don’t have a licence because I don’t watch live TV, haven’t for years. Used to watch iplayer before they started saying you needed a licence to watch it. Twats.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 23/04/2021 12:48

A subscription funded BBC will also be forced to create what sells, not what matters.

What do they create that matters but doesn't sell?

HermioneWeasley · 23/04/2021 12:54

It’s more or less compulsory if you have a Tv, even if you don’t consume any BBC content.

If they’re so confident that they are great value, they should move to a proper subscription service and I’m sure people will snap it up.

I however am not keen to fund their bloated head office and journalists who describe gay men as “transphobic” for not liking female bodies.

ladsholiday · 23/04/2021 12:54

@melj1213

Luther, Peaky Blinders, Bodyguard, Dr Foster, Sherlock, killing eve, Dracula, Masterchef.

Peaky Blinders, Bodyguard, Sherlock, Masterchef, and Dracula are all on Netflix (I'm sure Luther, Dr Foster and Killing Eve will be on some streaming service sooner or later, if not already) so why would I pay the BBC when I pay my Netflix subscription and get those and thousands of other TV shows and movies for half the price of the licence fee?

BBC made the shows. That's what you're paying for....
stackemhigh · 23/04/2021 12:56

No, she's paying Netflix because she's watching on Netflix, lad

No need to pay the BBC.

ChekhovsWorkshoppedShooter · 23/04/2021 13:01

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

A subscription funded BBC will also be forced to create what sells, not what matters.

What do they create that matters but doesn't sell?

Songs of Praise, The Proms, BBC Bitesize, CBBC, Orchestras, choirs, Young Musician of the Year, Radio 3, Radio drama, Book at Bedtime, Women’s team sports coverage, BBC 4 science documentaries, More Or Less, Newsnight, An international set of journalists.
Captpike · 23/04/2021 13:20

Because bbc made them.

I have some Doctor Who DVDs I a cupboard somewhere. Should I pay the license fee just for them?

CarmelBeach · 23/04/2021 13:25

@greencrosscode

I imagine the cost of BBC4 and Radio 4 would be less than a £5 a year. It could just go out of our taxes.
But why?

AFAIC it is already a subscription service.

stackemhigh · 23/04/2021 13:26

I don't think I've ever listened to BBC4 or Radio 4, I don't want to be taxed for it.

ladsholiday · 23/04/2021 13:31

@Captpike

Because bbc made them.

I have some Doctor Who DVDs I a cupboard somewhere. Should I pay the license fee just for them?

Well no because you paid for the dvds.

If everyone stopped paying the licence fee loads of shows will stop being made

stackemhigh · 23/04/2021 13:33

But why is that the problem of people who don't watch live TV?

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