AIBU cancelling my TV Licence direct debit?

[Heliosdeep]

In the wake of the Gary Lineker saga and the weakness of the BBC I cancelled my direct debit. Currently at £159 for a yearly licence I thought this was a waste of money. The only thing I would have missed would gave been the Great British Bake Off but now that Alison Hammond is fronting it I would have struggled to get past her incredibly irritating voice.

I've not watched it once since cancelling and haven't missed it. Has anyone else done the same and AIBU cancelling?

I don't really care - it was your points which made no sense, and I agree that the BBC doesn't hit the mark all the time, but you check the figures for those shows and they are winners

Don’t get high on your own farts. It’s unbecoming.

Whatever makes you feel better...but sadly it's true. I also have an Emmy, and I've just sold one of my shows to a commercial broadcaster so I'll be having a nice easter...but I wish everyone was. You guys don't get how important this is - this isn't chest thumping its reasoned argument but I'm hearing only echoes of any engagement. People don't get what's happening. Luckily I'll retire soon but god help the nest generation - its gonna be bad

my audience ladies and gentlemen.

Sorry, but I just don’t believe you. Post your LinkedIn innit.

Let me know if you want some fresh blood for your writers’ room, innit.

haha - no thanks. I don't really care if you believe me, but I began my career in the 90s at the BBC, before leaving to work at Sky where I earned my first Bafta. I then worked in the drama commissioning side of ITV - and most recently started my own prodco. We don't have writers rooms really as I now focus on factual entertainment pitching at slots in the US of a value of 800k an hour, as I'd like to actually make some money. Its pretty hard work and I do it 7 days a week, and wont be having any time off for some years now...but its worth it. You guys can slag and natter all you want, I was trying to tell you how it really is from a senior person who lives it. trust me, if BBC goes, OFCOM will be punched and we will end up in a partisan mess. There's no point arguing - I'm not coming back here again...I'm just very depressed that nobody could take an argument and debate it properly. Its a complex space, but it's worth understanding.

“If the BBC goes OFCOM will be punched”

Don’t threaten me with a good time. I’d like to see a bit of variety when it comes to broadcast news and over regulation is getting in the way of that.

Good lord. Ok fine - lets not hold the truth as something worth keeping. fuck it, lets all be flat earthers and watch Fox News. Jees. You don't know what you are asking for, you really don't.

this isn't chest thumping its reasoned argument

What, calling people imbeciles?

I call it like I see it

Oh and I called the content imbecilic - for the record. Perhaps read my posts again...

If people want to watch stuff like that who are you to stop them? I always enjoy Fox when I visit the states. It’s a fun watch.

Right - now look at the state of their politics, and the current court case against Fox News. Now trace that back to deregulation during the Reagan era. Then try to imagine what would happen here if nobody was held to account. I don't know why you cant see that allowing propaganda destroys trust, and society. Our papers are bad enough.

It’s funny you mentioned the print media. Why is it we can buy a paper that reflects our prejudices but not have the same choice when we switch on the news?

I think OFCOM is an unacceptable incursion on freedom of speech. I’ll be glad to see it go.

Well, in that case, you really need to take a good hard look at what that would mean. It means packaging lies for profit - pure and simple. If thats what you want, we will never agree because that is dangerous and existentially threatening to all of us. I suspect and hope you are trolling.

Parrot out - see you all in the apocalypse

I’m not. I’m deeply uncomfortable with an unaccountable body arbitrating on what is true or not. It’s Orwellian.

Ok - it is accountable and even puts out accountability reports via parliament, its literally working on behalf of elected MPs.....it is also non partisan via its board. You probably need to check that out and understand before you start waving views like that around in public. Anyway, i can't listen to this all night....just please do your homework on this stuff

Great, so politicians are deciding what I’m allowed to watch.

In what way do the profits from Doctor Who go to all of us? I haven't received any royalty check.

Reported stop making personal attacks because you don't agree with people!

Don't scare Parrot off please, I'm looking forward to "I'm flouncing off and never coming back again" part III tonight.

You are unreasonable to think you can keep watching TV without a licence, but of course if you get rid of your TV or just watch something like netflix then it's OK.

I honestly can’t think of a bbc show I’ve watched in many years. Unless maybe something that was sold off. We didn’t even do CBeebies for our youngest and she’s 7.

I agree you can't seem.to.tell us how important it is to.our lives can you ,you just keep.stamping your feet and being obnoxious and insulting anyone who.disagrees with you ,if you are an example of the type of person who the BBC employs,'s I can quite see why people are increasingly turning away ?