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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

145 replies

StrawPony · 22/06/2024 12:25

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.

OP posts:
MateyMusings · 23/06/2024 13:09

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EasternStandard · 23/06/2024 13:13

Allthislovelygreen · 22/06/2024 22:17

Imo BBC radio can stay, and they can do it without the license fee, and rely on funding like all the other big free cultural things we get without a license fee (eg. Museums, galleries, British Library, etc).

It also annoys me that much of our license fees are spent on astronomical salaries for presenters

Agree

I like BBC radio but other than that it’s usually just Wimbledon and possibly a couple of other things

So really low use of content. My main concern would be R6 going as it supports bands very well

Opleez · 23/06/2024 13:16

Allthislovelygreen · 23/06/2024 12:38

The same funders who fund all the other big free to use cultural institutions... combination of government, arts council, heritage and other large funding bodies

As long as you’re happy to have one new programme once every 3 months, sounds perfect.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 23/06/2024 13:23

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I hate Netflixs. It’s just full of sci fi and crime. I don’t like either of these genres. I’m not saying that’s all there is, but the choice is crap.

I like a history documentary. There’s none of that on Netflix.Im a big fan of Lucy Worsley!

EasternStandard · 23/06/2024 13:31

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 23/06/2024 13:23

I hate Netflixs. It’s just full of sci fi and crime. I don’t like either of these genres. I’m not saying that’s all there is, but the choice is crap.

I like a history documentary. There’s none of that on Netflix.Im a big fan of Lucy Worsley!

The difference I suppose is you don’t have to pay for Netflix you can just avoid it

The licence fee covers watching live TV

Magnastorm · 23/06/2024 13:35

EasternStandard · 23/06/2024 13:31

The difference I suppose is you don’t have to pay for Netflix you can just avoid it

The licence fee covers watching live TV

Exactly, this is the point repeatedly being missed by most of the posters defending the licence fee.

If you want to watch any live tv but have no interest in what the BBC produces, you have to pay the licence fee which goes to the BBC, and then you still have to put up with ads etc on commercial channels.

It's fundamentally bullshit.

If you like the BBC's output, that's fine, but why should those who don't subsidise your viewing. It should be a fee for BBC channels only.

SouthEastCoast · 23/06/2024 13:38

I cancelled my tv licence years ago and never watch live tv. I hope they scrap it soon, it’s so pointless and their news so biased

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 23/06/2024 13:39

What pisses me off though is now, every channel has a subscription. You could spend a fortune a month.

Bewareofthisonetoo · 23/06/2024 13:40

OonaStubbs · 22/06/2024 12:30

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

This
Your kids are right -just stop the BBC licence. They will sent threatening letters but you just fill in a turn online to confirm you don’t watch live TV or iplayer.
( Tho that of course shouldn’t be necessary it should just be opt in like any other subscription service)
If there’s eg a royal funeral you want watch /just go to the local pub and watch it!

MateyMusings · 23/06/2024 13:40

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Tallerandtall · 23/06/2024 13:41

@StrawPony

having lived around the world you don’t know how lucky you are. Many countries have a fee structure like the UK and they are the ones with good news.

so no it’s not time for it to stop.i fact it’s time to invest.

MasterBeth · 23/06/2024 13:45

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It's not "a con". It's a business. Pay for it if you think it's good value. Don't pay for it if you don't.

Bewareofthisonetoo · 23/06/2024 13:50

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I disagree Have you watched any? I watch a lot of French TV and it is vastly better than the programming from the bloated complacent BBC.

EasternStandard · 23/06/2024 13:56

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It’s not an issue to just not get Netflix though.

MateyMusings · 23/06/2024 13:58

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Prettypengu · 23/06/2024 14:00

I cancelled my tv license last year and got a refund as I don’t ever watch it.

I have Disney+ which is free at the moment as I got a year for free.
Amazon prime on student which is a bonus as I paid £47.49 for the year.
paramount+ is £3.49 for 3 months and il cancel when that’s finished.
Netflix is free as it’s part of my ee phone package.

Magnastorm · 23/06/2024 14:23

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Not necessarily at all.

Netflx, Amazon, Disney and all still need to compete with each other.

BobnLen · 23/06/2024 16:51

A lot of the streaming channels are unwatchable now unless you pay extra to skip the ads,

West100 · 22/07/2024 16:39

Just to be clear you don't need a TV license if you listen to BBC radio. That includes listening to, or downloading from BBC sounds online.

Whammyammy · 22/07/2024 18:31

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 23/06/2024 13:23

I hate Netflixs. It’s just full of sci fi and crime. I don’t like either of these genres. I’m not saying that’s all there is, but the choice is crap.

I like a history documentary. There’s none of that on Netflix.Im a big fan of Lucy Worsley!

Don't subscribe and therefore don't watch Netflix.
Same as I don't pay bbc or watch their rubbish

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