To say that the TV Licence should be abolished?

[Appalonia]

When I look at what I watch on TV these days on the BBC, it's really only Strictly, repeats of TOTP and Glastonbury . There's nothing else that interests me. I listen to Trevor Nelson on R2, but that's it. I watch Netflix, Amazon much more and some shows on ITV, C4 or Sky Arts. And a lot of interviews on YouTube and podcasts. I also object to how the BBC posits itself as the voice of truth and neutrality, but it really isn't these days, on so many issues.

Why are we forced to pay for a service that has had its day and is no longer fit for service?

You don't have to pay for a licence and are not obliged to watch.

I used to enjoy radio4 but now it's just insufferable

I thought that was demanding money woth menaces which is definitely not legal lol

I watch bbc iplayer n live tv never had a license in my life tjey came to my door in 2002 not come near me since why lol

But you do have to pay them if you want to only watch ITV, Channel 4 and/or Channel 5 at the time of broadcast on a traditional TV setup.

This is the crux of the problem: the automatic assumption that 'TV' can only possibly equal 'BBC TV'.

And before anybody comes on and splutters about ITV actually costing each viewer more, because of the cost of advertising that is built into the shelf prices of all of those advertised goods... absolutely nobody will ever be harassing you, bombarding you with nasty accusatory letters, demanding payment, calling you a criminal or threatening you with court if you choose to buy Tesco's own oven chips and cornflakes rather than McCain's or Kellogg's.

Even considering that, legally, they ARE fully entitled to demand money from people whose viewing choices require them to buy a licence, but who have not done so; the tactics used by Crapita on behalf of the BBC are extremely similar to the blunderbuss approach of the wicked scammers across the world who are on the prowl and searching for vulnerable victims.

How about this. Pay your licence fee and don't watch the BBC but watch the other channels you do want to watch.

If you absolutely don't want to fund the BBC then don't pay the licence fee and watch all the other streaming services available - you're spoilt for choice.

I'm happy with the BBC and pay my licence fee.

Yet it does set the tone of debate in the country. Abolish it or make it subscription like Netflix

I don't want it abolished and am happy to pay. I love the BBC.

https://thecritic.co.uk/subscribe-to-save-the-bbc/

"the successful roll-out of fast broadband in the UK has allowed streaming services — led by the US giants, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV+ — to demonstrate the dynamic power of subscription as a funding mechanism. Within a few years from launch, these services had attracted voluntary subscriptions from nearly 70 per cent of UK households, even as the number of homes paying the licence fee started, unprecedentedly, to decline. The annual household exodus from the licence fee is now running at between 400,000 and 500,000.
Whether these defectors have actually given up live television, or just say they have, is impossible to tell: fewer than 10 per cent of supposed “evaders” are ever prosecuted. With the penalty for conviction little more than the cost of the licence fee — scarcely a forbidding prospect, especially as such an outcome does not result in a criminal record — the surprise is that evasion is not more common. Even so, with only 80 per cent of households now actually paying the licence fee (another 3.5 per cent receive free licences), the risks in the system multiply.
"

Then it should be an optional subscription - see the article above for why

The problem is that some streaming services rely on events that you need a tv licence for

Amazon Prime for example show 3 premier league match weeks per year plus a champions league match- it is a huge draw for them and one you need a licence for

Netflix promotes some boxing - that would need a licence

Apple TV has a huge deal to show the MLS matches again need a licence

there is an awful lot of live tv if you live in a family of sports fans!

but yes the system needs overhauling

It's great for you that you're happy with the setup that suits you, but plenty of others disagree strongly on principle.

And you're also casually dismissing all of the elderly folk who aren't online but might want to watch the commercial channels on TV.

I'm absolutely happy with the way it's run and see no need for change. If it bothers you so much then campaign for change.

I'm happy to pay it although I really don't like the right wing slant lately, way too much Farage, but I appreciate the archives and use iplayer all the time as I don't watch anything live and use the fire stick for streaming. I have lately been catching up on many of the 19th century literature adaptations which provide some escapism for me these days.

I'm sure you are happy. I wonder if you could read the article, it's very short, and tell me exactly how you would deal with the very very imminent cliff the BBC is approaching?

Oh well, that's alright then. Of course people watching live channels not broadcast by the BBC that pay their own way through advertising should be fined for not paying the BBC for the privilege.

I mean if someone buys a secondhand hair-splitter off one of my neighbours, I have every right to expect a cut too right?🙄

Crikey....i watch it all the time and think it's value for money given that i also listen to bbc radio stations constantly too.

How do we keep this service without paying for it?! People seem to be fine to pay for netflix etc but why not bbc.... it offers so many services which are amazing beyond live tv.

I'm not in charge of the BBC, why would I deal with anything?

Are you being deliberately awkward? The BBC is on it's knees, the article explains why, I wondered if you had any alternative to licence fee (failing) like perhaps a subscription (you don;t like that) so - do you have other ideas?

You do know what a discussion forum is about right?

A subscription: https://thecritic.co.uk/subscribe-to-save-the-bbc/

I personally agree that it's value for money, but many people don't agree - and I think they have every right not to want to pay for something that they don't wish to use.

Their answer would be that we don't need to bother about keeping something that they don't want to keep. It should be paid for by those who want it and use it - like you and I, just like most things are.

I believe those on pension credit get free licences. Unfortunately a TV licence isn't a right, it's a paid for service. There are many people who can't afford it and I didn't vote Tory.

Lots of people have different opinions and I'm fine with that.

You're being condescending which doesn't lend itself well to a discussion.

The BBC isn't on its knees, that's more hyperbolic nonsense from you.

It's not for me to come up with ideas for the BBC, I pay my licence and am happy with the service.

it IS on it's knees. As that very short article points out. It's got 3-5 years left in its current model.