BBC Time to stop the license fee - Times have drastically changed

[StrawPony]

In the past I’ve supported the BBC but that was before the availability of numerous streaming services. It just doesn’t make sense anymore, I’m coming at this as someone that is fairly centre ground and not someone that is concerned about bias.

With the cost of living, I’m looking to reduce outgoings. I’ve just told the kids that I’m going to cancel Netflix end of this month as they’ve bumped up the price to £10.99 per month without me opting into that particular plan. The kids are asking me to cancel the BBC instead (2 teens and 1 in primary), they didn’t understand that the beeb is not an opt in/out streaming service so I’ve explained that one. But it’s true, they NEVER watch any stuff on the BBC. I watch the odd thing but if I could opt out, I would and pay for Now or Netflix. AIBU, the BBC was great in its time but now it needs to become subscription only. I don’t listen to BBC radio, I watch the odd drama or major national event (like coverage of the Queens death) but nowhere near enough that I would pay if it was opt in/out.

If you're not watching BBC and not watching live TV then you don't need the TV licence

People certainly shouldn’t get a criminal record for not paying the license fee, that’s completely indefensible

No, as well as just TV I value BBC news services and many of the bbc resources for children too, like BBC teach and Bitesize. Worth every penny.

The BBC should just shut down. There's no reason for it to exist anymore.

if you rarely watch you can opt-out @StrawPony

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/cancellations-and-refunds-top7#

So your teens never look on bbc bitesize for revision, none of them listen to the radio?

Have they not watched any of the euros on bbc?

I agree it is categorically insane that we are obliged to pay a TV licence, and if you don’t you are at risk of imprisonment / a criminal record.

Also - that they constantly send quite threatening letters about it, even if you have one.

Such an anachronism.

A state funded media service isn’t a bad idea - it’s just the method of raising the money that is bizarre.

It’s a bloody cheek that you pay for other packages/streaming services and then have to have a tv license to watch live channels that aren’t even the BBC! How do they continue to get away with this. I don’t watch BBC or live tv exactly for this reason.

Just declare "no license needed" and stop watching live TV or anything BBC (including iplayer). Job done.

Well, we will be stuck with it when Labour get in

I don't have a TV licence. Cancelled it a couple of years ago. We just never watch live TV. Easy.

No, one has just done GCSEs, one just going into year 10 and they have not used it. They use numerous online resources that were not available to me though.

Your kids are right, do yourself a favour and stop funding the BBC.

ignore the patronising posts telling you that you don’t know what the fucking bbc does, they won’t tell you about it shoving queer theory down your family’s throat at any opportunity and giving space to women-hating drag competitions.

you don’t even watch it, that’s reason enough alone.

Netflix is a bit shit anyway so I would cancel that.

I object to paying the licence fee because the BBC is so blatantly left wing. It’s almost like another political party. It’s got huge influence as the UKs main tv broadcaster and I feel it uses its power to promote certain ideologies.

The new head of BBC sport thinks we should be kind to trans women in sport and said Sharon Davies and Martina Navratilova have no valid opinions. So that's nice.

It is opt in / opt out.

If you don’t watch any live tv or any shows on BBC iPlayer, you don’t need a licence fee.

If you do watch live tv on any channel - BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, Five etc - then you need one.

Pretty simple.

If you don’t want to watch live tv in your own home, then stop your tv licence.

Of course, ultimately, that 47p per day is helping to fund an important national broadcaster that does a huge amount for our country home and abroad, but if you would rather not support it, you have the choice not to.

But why should people have to pay a fee that funds the the BBC if they want to watch sky / C4 / ITV etc.

It's akin to having to pay a fee to McDonalds to allow someone to eat at their competitor, Burger King (other fast food chains are available....).

I legitimately have not had a TV Licence since 2014, and they know there is no tv here plus I avoid iPlayer like the plague.

They don't harass me, they request updates in writing about once every 12 months or so to see if there are any changes, which there aren't and everything is hunky dory!!! I update them online, it's so easy.

I would be happy to help fund the BBC (as a person who can afford it) if it was called something like “BBC culture donation” or something. Calling it a tv license and being aggressive to those who don’t use bbc tv or who can’t afford it is ridiculous and outdated. Calling it a tv lisence also makes people think it’s just for bbc tv and not all the other great stuff bbc has like others have pointed out.

They get accused of bias from all sides.

True. But since they are run by actual Tories, I think suggesting they are left wing biased is bonkers.

Which is so funny because half the time people say it’s too right wing, especially recently giving a voice to Farage, and supporting the government- it’s almost like it gives a voice to both sides…

The BBC lies. I watched recently as they reported on a situation that's happening where I work. They minimised and lied. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I mean I knew they were a bit shady but seeing it with your own eyes is something else