Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Rubbish, Chris. What I am saying is that other channels appear to cover all the other programmes, and therefore they are not as special as some like to make it out to be.

What programmes would not be broadcast if the BBC was not there? All such programmes are available on other channels.

If you think BBC is ‘even more special’ than ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5, what is it that stands out from your perspective?

Lack of adverts is the only thing that stands out to me. Apart from the wokeness, which I could well do without.

---------- Post added at 17:22 ---------- Previous post was at 17:19 ----------

For you, maybe. Our BBC region has been merged and now covers a huge area. We get more news from the southern coastal towns than we do for the Thames Valley.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Old Boy out to decapitate the UK TV industry as he clutches at his 2025/35 prediction. It’s only telly...

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

If you’re in a hole, stop digging. Right now you’re simply hanging your ignorance out on the washing line for all to see. No, I’m not going to do this for you. The public service remit is a thing (has always been a thing in the U.K.), its impact on British tv broadcasting is profound, but as it’s something you know nothing about (and you clearly hate the fact that you know nothing about it) if you expect your little opinions to be taken seriously you’re going to have to swallow your pride and do your research.

Except of course that it might just be beyond you to do that ... it would certainly explain why you’re so quick to start bleating “whatever” and “woke” whenever you’re challenged with new information.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

From today’s Yorkshire Post

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...3&d=1605031419

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Yep ... Guido was fuming this morning because none of the people on the new PSB Advisory Panel have ever expressed overt scepticism about the TV licence. He thinks this means whatever study they do and whatever recommendations they make, actually abolishing the licence fee is effectively off the table before they start.

It is certainly the case that Dowden is only talking about the level of the fee that comes into force in 2022 rather than whether there should be one. It’s also the case that a charter normally runs for about 10 years. So the licence fee is going to be with us until 2032 at the earliest.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I note that you are unable to explain it either, Chris. If nobody knows what it is, who is going to miss it?

If it’s all about standards, that’s bullshit. I’d rather watch Netflix, thanks. And there are other ways of ensuring that standards are met that are more relevant for today anyway.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

You're still trying to get me to do your homework for you. I'm not biting. I'm comfortable that nobody else reading this is likely to conclude that I don't understand what public service broadcasting is. I'm also pretty sure you don't want to read about it yourself because you suspect it drives a coach and horses through (what passes for) your argument about the BBC's future funding - and that people reading this reckon that's the case as well.

If you prefer to remain in ignorance, that's your prerogative.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Your posts are becoming a little perverse, Chris. I have already outlined above the type of programming that constitutes public service programming. Basically, local news, arts and religious programming.

My point is, of course, that this does not necessarily have to be provided by the Beeb.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

The tragedy is that you might actually have convinced yourself you know what you’re talking about (spoiler: based on what you’ve said so far, you don’t).

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QFT :D

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Hopefully this will sort out this nonsense.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...age-ministers/

[EXTRACT]

Public service broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4 face “profound questions” about their role in the digital age, the Culture Secretary has said, as he begins fresh negotiations over the licence fee.

Oliver Dowden will on Tuesday announce a new panel of experts to assess the future of public service broadcasting as he suggests there is a genuine debate over whether “we need them at all.”

Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Dowden says that the panel of broadcasting, journalism and technology leaders will not be “tiptoeing around the edges” but rather “drilling right down into the current system and how it operates.”

With the media landscape experiencing an “utter transformation” in recent years, he adds that the rise of Netflix and Amazon Prime has “lobbed a grenade into the system” and poses serious questions about the “role that all broadcasters have to play in the digital age.”

About time too!

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

If you cut-off their funding (license fee) they would have to become a subscription based channel or accept adverts.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Precisely - they have the choice. Either adverts, or subscription, or both.

So the question remains: how do you force them to start taking subscriptions? (Answer .... you can’t).

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

With more and more people allegedly cancelling their tv licence i think a time will come where BBC will go comercial, not sure about subscription though, maybe bbc1 and 2, news will be comercial with bbc 3,4, cbbc and cbeebies going subscription?
Thatr's only guesswork though.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Or both. That’s the idea.

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You are being extremely pedantic, Chris. You know very well from this exchange that that is precisely the choice. So why are you still arguing?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Accepting for the sake of argument that the BBC’s Royal Charter is not renewed in 2032, the organisation becomes a commercial broadcaster, free to choose how it raises revenue, and its public service obligation is reduced but not entirely withdrawn, then they could pursue the strategy you’ve outlined. I’d have thought it very unlikely that the public service obligation would be withdrawn from BBC1 and 2. That being the case they would still not be able to put these behind a paywall.

If you look at ITV as the BBC’s nearest analogy on terrestrial TV, only the main channel in epg position 3 is a public service channel that must be free to air. Yet ITV 2, 3 and 4, which are not public service channels, are also FTA. Their HD variants are behind Sky’s paywall on satellite but this has more to do with Sky’s willingness to pay broadcasters to keep HD channels off Freesat than any deliberate strategy to ‘sell’ their channels (Film 4 is paywalled on Sky for the same reason).

So while you could see a scenario where the BBC’s more niche stuff could be paywalled (and the public service obligation on those channels were withdrawn then they would be free to do that), the example of ITV suggests they wouldn’t. Also consider that all of the BBC’s output is geared towards mass audiences. Even the niche stuff on BBC4 is intended for that entire market segment, and not just those within that segment that are prepared to take out a subscription to Sky or VM. At least a third of the potential audience for BBC4 live in homes that don’t already have a pay tv service is significant. If they don’t have Sky already, are they likely to go and get it for BBC4? I’d say it’s unlikely.

Furthermore, at present every one of the BBC’s channels is designed around a public service requirement, and not a commercial one. So despite all of the above, it is unlikely that any of the BBC’s channels would continue in precisely the same form, in a commercial environment and without the public service obligation.

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These posts were split out of the Netflix/streaming services thread. Please continue discussion about the TV licence and the BBC Royal Charter renewal process here.