Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

No, the argument is for a subscription rather than a licence fee.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

In theory wouldn't disagree with that as long as non subscribers are stopped from using any BBC services - TV, radio, website, apps, catch up -not sure how practical that is.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I do think that the vast majority of the public would subscribe voluntarily to the BBC for that very reason. A small minority would not pay because they did not wish to make use of any of the Beeb's services, but that is how it should be.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

And you think that will be cheaper? because its likely to be dearer IMO.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

It should be possible to prevent non subscribers from accessing TV, the web site and apps in 10 years' time. Not sure how that would work on the radio stations, though, but I'm sure they will find a way!

---------- Post added at 11:44 ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 ----------

I didn't say it would be cheaper. However it needn't be more expensive, given that the Corporation would be competing in the market place, and this would also ensure that they paid more attention to efficiences that could be made to cut unnecessary costs.

Being released from the current straight jacket that prevents them from undertaking bold innovative revenue generation schemes under the current arrangements means that they would be able to pursue other income streams to bolster revenues.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

There is no such argument from anyone in a position to influence the decision. The BBC is a public service broadcaster; in the UK, and across Europe and much of the world, public service broadcasters are funded by advertising. The BBC is a very rare exception in having all of a licence fee and being forbidden to advertise.

If the BBC loses its right to receive the licence fee, it will follow the same model as ITV, Channel 4 and Five. This will be the case regardless of how often ill-informed commenters on the internet assert otherwise.

You can’t pass a law compelling the BBC to go behind a paywall. Even Sky isn’t subject to such restrictions. It encrypts by choice.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Who's saying a law needs to be passed to put the BBC behind a paywall.

All that needs to be done is scrap the license fee. How the BBC then raises revenue is then up to them.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Only dearer for those that want to use the BBC services via a subscription. For those like me who do not want to use there services it means i would not have to pay the the BBC tax

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Because most people who argue against the licence fee, on this forum at least, lack the imagination to see beyond the subscription model. They perceive the licence fee as, in effect, a compulsory subscription, and therefore their argument boils down to “change the compulsory subscription into a voluntary one”. Voluntary subscription tv services require, by their very nature, encryption and a paywall.

Yet there is absolutely no way the BBC would adopt a subscription model without being compelled to do so. It simply isn’t the way public service broadcasting works, anywhere in the world, and it could not sustain an operation of the BBC’s size and present reach.

The only possible outcome of abolishing the licence fee would be a BBC that looked and acted much the same as ITV presently does. Free to air, funded by advertising and overseas sales. And the problem with that is that it would cause a massive devaluing of ad breaks on British TV, quite possibly putting a lot of smaller channels out of business.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

:clap::clap::clap:

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I think you miss the point Chris. I think you'll find most on this forum objecting to the license fee don't give a damn about the BBC.

It could close down tomorrow for all I care. I object to paying for something I do not use in any form whatsoever. I think most others do as well.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

And the vast majority would sadly have to pay more because if you look at viewing figures BBC get audiences for their programmes and services that many others can only simply only dream about

---------- Post added at 15:11 ---------- Previous post was at 15:08 ----------

This forum does not in no way represent the main populace view regarding the BBC.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I have to pay over £12 a month for the BBC, the only things I've watched in the last 3 months are Blue Planet and Detectorists.

If the BBC was a subscription service i would have stopped paying long ago, certainly at that price a month.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

I in no way stated nor inferred that.

Re: ITV threaten to blackout on Virgin
 

Wow! What an entrenched point of view you do have!

It’s not a question of what ‘anyone in a position to influence the decision’ want to do, it’s a question of what the public demand.

Whatever is going on in other countries, this doesn’t mean we have to follow. A BBC funded by subscription only could work. No need for advertising at all, although there’s nothing to prevent a future BBC from operating a subscription free advertising option.

Whatever you or any other bureaucrats want to do, ultimately you have to bow to the demands of the public. There is a growing resistance to the licence fee, and in a democracy, people have to be listened to.

---------- Post added at 23:18 ---------- Previous post was at 23:15 ----------

Absolutely true, but it is a fool who disregards the way the wind is blowing. By the way, you used two negatives in one sentence there, Den!

---------- Post added at 23:22 ---------- Previous post was at 23:18 ----------

Agreed! :clap:

---------- Post added at 23:24 ---------- Previous post was at 23:22 ----------

However, it doesn't have to be more expensive! Even with recent cuts, the BBC is very, very wasteful.