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?

Yes, their own "ads" are really annoying and getting worse. An ad for a BBC programme I've no interest in is just as bad as an ad for a washing powder I've no interest in!

The other thing that annoys me is on their news channel when they do a "countdown" between the end of one segment and the next which can often be a minute or two of watching a countdown with some bilge background music. I'd actually prefer to watch adverts if I have to watch something because they've got their timings wrong!

But the biggest annoyance is the way they've scrapped the wonderful Doctors soap in the afternoon. An absolute travesty when so much of their content is absolute dross that they can't continue with an enjoyable soap like that. Utter idiots, the lot of them!

It's sad, but I won't be renewing next year. I used to love pretty much everything about the BBC, but I've realised that, in recent years, the only shows I've enjoyed, and watched consistently have been Detectorists and Inside No.9. Everything else is cookie-cutter dramas, documentation covering the same old topics (and I'm sure less intelligently than in the past because I sure as heck haven't gotten smarter!)

Used to love Radio 4, but the quality has nosedived in recent years, so that's been replaced with podcasts.

Their online news coverage is dire (spelling mistakes, more drag queens than any other demographic - what's that about - poor regional reporting).

Then, there's the "talent" who are usually smug, annoying, superior types (although this is true of most channels, not just the BBC), not to mention the numerous scandals, which it always seems were known about at the Beeb long before they became public knowledge.

So, sad as I am, it's a no from me.

Taxguru

are you going to cancel?

Daily. Someone mentioned it and I'm so fed up
with R4 I gave it a go

I go between WS and R6 with some Times radio

I rely on radio for news and insight over online and tv. I don't watch live tv really except something like Wimbledon

With WS I finally feel like I'm being informed not provoked in some way by headline news

Yep, when it's due for renewal, we won't be.

It’s not. They have some incredible programming but it’s because they have tons and tons of cash. They commission some and they acquire a lot from broadcasters who have funded the shows upfront. No broadcasters to take chances on unusual IP or non-global stories and that means fewer of these shows will be made for the likes of Netflix to buy.

When they commission, they produce things by algorithms- so necessarily shows need to rate really well - if not they’re cut. Look at the outrage from fans of certain IP - they buy the rights to beloved books / games etc, then make a series, if it’s not a huge hit, it’s cancelled and no one else can use the IP.

It’s ruthless and doesn’t make for better programming overall - look at their films. I can’t think of many that aren’t piss poor.

Offerings from NowTV are generally better, but again, most of the really good stuff are acquisitions from America. I love American dramas, but I also love British ones. No UK tv means no Dr Foster, no Happy Valley. No Fleabag or Extraordinary or Spaced or Red Dwarf. None of those shows would have been commissioned by a streamer.

Also haven’t you noticed that they keep hiking the price? They make huge profits but they also have extraordinary debt. The model of people cancelling subs month to month makes it more expensive and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the next move is to tie you into 3 months, then 6.

I don't watch live TV at all, nor do I watch BBC iPlayer. I cancelled my TV licence a couple of years ago and I've received regular 'threatening' letters ever since.

I'm not intimidated by the letters, but I can see how some people would be.

"I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the next move is to tie you into 3 months, then 6."

LOL, like the BBC does then?

so they have achieved a model which results in incredible programs, good for them
Now the BBC needs to catch up

Also haven’t you noticed that they keep hiking the price

Also, haven't you noticed they keep hiking the price of the BBC license

@Notmoog
'I'm hoping the whole paedo lovers institute comes crashing down soon'.

So presumably you're hoping many other institutes come crashing down? The Catholic Church? The Police? The NHS? Schools?

catholic church, yes definitely would like to see crashing down.
The other institutions you mention aren't entertainment services so would be a bit silly to want schools to go to the wall. Not sure how that would work or how it would happen? Are you thinking full on post apocalyptic scenario with no public bodies?

If all the repeats were removed from the bbc there would only be a days worth of programs
and they do advertise by stealth

just had a look at the listings for BBC1 and BBC2 for the day.
I can honestly say there isn't a single thing I would be particularly interested in watching.
Maybe the Capt, Phillips film at midnight, but I've already seen it ages ago on prime or netflix.

BBC 2 was surprising; I thought it used to be the more intellectual/ higher brow channel? It's full of the same crap as BBC1

oh, years ago I would have watched HIGNGY but the smugness of the presenters overwhelmed me too much to watch. as did QI ( if that;s still on)

Interesting, they no longer ave the little "R" next to the listing to show it's a repeat.
Guess it got too embarrassing!

@Notmoog So on that basis we should close streaming services as well. Most are carrying films produced by Weinstein (admitted not a convicted paedophile, but a heinous individual), I can buy numerous films by Polanski on Youtube, Prime carries Cosby programmes. And as for the music industry, we should shut it down completely and immediately.

If you look through this thread it's about the funding model of the BBC and subsequent consequences/ harassment etc.
Apologies if I slightly derailed by mentioning the fact they seem to protect a lot of paedo's and other sex offenders: I assumed people would be able to cope with that without resorting to random whataboutery.

But by all means start a thread on sex offenders on
streaming services
catholic church
police
nhs
schools
music industry

but that's quite a list you've come up with and will very much confuse this thread.

I only have a tv license because i watch live sport. I do not watch the bbc much. I use to enjoy call the midwife but that went down the pan years ago. Line of duty was crap too. I use to tape match of the day but that has gone down hill. The only bbc program that i really enjoyed was happy valley.

So presumably you're hoping many other institutes come crashing down? The Catholic Church? The Police? The NHS? Schools?

How on earth is this a logical argument?!

They don’t. Netflix has huge debts, most of the other streamers are supported by being part of bigger media companies that make money from films etc.

Commercial channels are haemorrhaging money, the TV industry in the UK, US and Aus are in dire straits. Arguably, they don’t deserve to be propped up if they aren’t commercially successful - ASB as long as we’re all fine for TikTok and YouTube to be our culture, then yeah, let’s let them fail.

You’re dead wrong about harassment being a consequence of the funding model.

Predatory men get away with it because people stay silent, largely because they fear for their reputation as they are all freelance and have very little if any legal protections. Contracts are on a week’s notice for any or no reason.

Destabilising the ecosystem further by removing the state funded broadcaster is likely to make things even worse.

It’s clear you feel very strongly about the BBC, and my take as a broadcast professional (although not for the BBC) is very different,
so I don’t see any point continuing.

I understand the commercial and cultural reality of defunding the BBC and it’s bleak.

yeah, i was trying to be polite to them but it's not the best retort..

"Arguably, they don’t deserve to be propped up if they aren’t commercially successful"

well quite, that's been a large part of the discussion regarding the BBC

"You’re dead wrong about harassment being a consequence of the funding model"

sorry, I wasn't clear. I was talking about the harassment many people get from Capita who are the salespeople for the BBC.

although if you were talking about presenters etc. then Destabilising the ecosystem further by removing the state funded broadcaster is likely to make things even worse.

Could you explain how having a tv license for the BBC prevents sexual offences/ harassment?