Here is what I said in the forum linked to in the above article:
I'd like to firstly say the BBC produces some excellent programs, from shows like Doctor Who to the very well acted East Enders to excellent documentaries but then I look at Channel 4 who pretty much produces the same level of quality (More 4, E4 and FilmFour plus documentaries) without costing me a penny.
Whenever I've had this discussion with my Mum she always says she's for the license fee as she dislikes adverts and believes the quality of the BBC would change. While I dislike adverts too they're a way of life and I don't think that argument holds up when only 4 TV channels are without them anyway. We no longer live in a world of 4/5 TV channels!
As to the quality dropping: I don't believe it should have to. I come back to my Channel 4 point (the less said about ITV the better!).
I absolutely hate having to pay over £10 a month for what amounts to 4 TV channels and a bunch of radio stations. By even Sky's pricing policy that's extortionate and while much of Sky’s output is rubbish the price per channel ratio is completely skewed.
As far as I’m concerned it’s yet another governmental TAX and we only still have it because the government make money out of it. It really angers me we’re forced to pay such extortionate rates and angers me even more we have to pay to watch TV. This is literally a joke to other countries, the idea of having to pay for TV!
The idea we’d then get fined for not paying for a licence is just ridiculous, it should be illegal. When I moved into a flat last July the TV license was the last thing I set up. I really hated the idea of giving the government any more money than I already do.
To the person who said it’s "only £139.50" a year. That’s a lot of money to some people and especially unemployed ones.
The BBC have proven they are quite capable of running a TV station with adverts (BBC America) so they really should wake up to the changing world and drop the "forced" license fee. The world is very different today than it was back in 1922.
Markgway wrote:Don't see why they need to know your address.
Like that's the important part . Make it up!
Give it up Mark. All the petitions ask for it. Jeez you are anal about giving your details out. I'd hate to see what you do when asked to fill a form in . I'd imagine it's so they can see what parts of the country are most vocal. Demographics reports/stats and that kind of stuff.
EDIT: It says why, did you read it? -
You must be a British citizen or resident to sign the petition.
I don't give out my details to just any person who asks. All you need do is tick a box to say you reside in Britain. Sorted. It's not like they're gonna go thru the addresses anyways. Sure you could make one up but why should you have to?
I'd rather not have to pay a TV TAX. I'd rather concentrate on that. The fact you can make one up surely means it's really not worth getting upset about?
Did you sign it? If not is it because you disagree with the fact they ask for an address or do you agree with the TV license? If the former you're missing the point.
When you put it like that £139.50 seems rather a lot - its only "4 BBC Channels" if you have Freeview, if not its only 2 which is even worse, at least with Sky you have a choice but you may not watch the BBC channels.
The BBC does make some very good programmes though as you say, example the excellent Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes and I enjoy the comedy shows (eg Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo).
I agree with you about adverts, they are annoying but I also find the BBC's self promotion and adverts for itself just as annoying as ITV/C4 ads.
I'm covered by my mums TV licence BTW.
BBC Scumbags. Hate them for stealing billions from the UK population, its amazing this crap is still legal! but then they have all the people who monitor this shit in their back pockets, so its never going to change ever!
I remember the subect was brought up on Question Time recently, a load of polotics peeps were an the show, and all have more cash than any of us ever will. They all thought the BBC did an amazing job and its well worth every penny way to go.
Biased, much?
We couldnt have the BBC being badmouthed on QT could we? Did anyone hear about David Attenborough's speech about the BBC criticising too many cooking/makeover shows or whatever?
All I watch on the BBC is the news and errr Question Time. All they seem to show now is pure shit, all the time every day.
The only good things they show are imported shows
GIVE US FREE SODDING HD AND I MAY FEEL I GET MY CASH OUT OF YOU GREEEDY BASTARDS!
The licence goes up again next year by a large amount apprently, they say its to cope with their ever expanding lineup of channels (That very few people watch) and Radio stations (some which get so few listners they constantly break records), and to spend tens of millions on the media player on their website!
Because we all listen to their pointless 92674 radio chanels, including their racist stations like the Black networks, Asian network etc.. if we had a White Network the world would end overnight
I agree the BBC is overall very good (including both the reasons you mention) but what no one ever addresses when they support the BBC is that there is no evidence (AFAIK) that suggests the BBC would change if it's paid for by advertising.
Sure it will likely change to an extent changing to a "commercial channel" but just look at Channel 4. Channel 4 create More4, FilmFour and Channel 4 news. All are excellent.
Well the fact they now spend tens of millions on advertising also gets to me!
I go to the cinema every week and suffer BBC adverts for up to 5 minutes! then factor in the hundreds of half hourly ads on the BBC for its own programmes and to cap it off adds for a TV licence!
They may as well start having add breaks for real products and make cash!
As far as news go's they are far from what they once were, the fact BBC news crews are banned from many places and countries makes them crap in a heart beat, as they dont outsource and send in anyone but the BBC crews! so they dont get footage etc.. other channels do.
There should definitely be some sort of "opt out" option with regard to the tv license. I'd gladly forfeit my right to watch the BBC channels if I could stop paying the fee.
So should BBC programs just run into each other? They give you time to take a piss and on BBC News 24 they use them to fill time to get headlines etc at precise moments.
The BBC adverts of programs doesn't bother me. They're useful to not misss a program you want to see.
romerojpg wrote:I go to the cinema every week and suffer BBC adverts for up to 5 minutes!
You see adverts for BBC TV programs at the cinema? I've never ever seen one of those.
romerojpg wrote:As far as news go's they are far from what they once were, the fact BBC news crews are banned from many places and countries makes them crap in a heart beat
Huh? It's Western journalists not BBC News crews. IMO both BBC News 24 and Sky News are very good.
romerojpg wrote:As they dont outsource and send in anyone but the BBC crews! so they dont get footage etc.. other channels do.
Rubbish, of course they do. I too watch BBC News 24 daily and often see reports from Non-BBC staff, including footage clearly bought in.
As far as Grim's concerned repeats of Life On Mars are worth the licence fee alone.me personally i have no problem paying it.£12 a month by direct debit big deal.the scandalous pricing of gas/electricity is a far bigger issue for me.
saltysam wrote:£12 a month by direct debit big deal.
I pay quarterly.
saltysam wrote:the scandalous pricing of gas/electricity is a far bigger issue for me.
I definitely agree with you there. I only pay electricity though. Car tax and the MOT are scandalous too. When I moved in I was paying £26 in Water and £40 in electricity now I pay £13 in water and £25 in electricity.
Fitting a water metre has saved me a fortune. I suspected it would. I use so little water. Likewise fitting a standard electrical metre has saved me loads, from the pre-paid one I had originally.
I already have a service once a year to have it MOTed on top is annoying. Some parts of my car are checked twice (in theory). I'd prefer a Basic service was made compulsory. To not get your car serviced is nuts.
saltysam wrote:my gas/electric bill is currently running at £110 a month
My god. Have you read the articles over at? - www.MoneySavingExpert.com The price difference between companies is HUGE. My electrically was costing me £40 but looking around it's now £25.
Do you regularly leave lights and general items on?
When I turn my computer off I turn off the mains at the wall which kills everything else like my Router. I do live in a much smaller place than you but even so you must be able to reduce that.
saltysam wrote:Don't you ever take a bath you smelly b###d
Nope, never. I've not had a bath for a year. I have showers . I wash my dishes every 2-3 days (there's no point washing just 1 plate) and put two washing machine washes one every 2 weeks. I always use 30 Degrees and a Quick wash, any more most of the time really is overkill. It's not like we're getting rid of in depth stains.
I've never understood what's so enjoyable about a bath, it just wastes so much time and water. I do save water indirectly by having a poor hot water flow, it's acceptable though.
. Seriously say why.
. Make it up!
