Originally Posted by cheekyangus (Post 36038385)

I know. However, not everyone has internet, let alone decent enough internet.

And even in properties with good enough internet, there can be problems with distribution within them. You can usually get TV signals in places with problem wifi. Powerline plugs don't work everywhere.

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038428)

As someone who visits a lot of elderly people's home for work, I can say

A) there are a lot of old people
B) at least 50% of those rely on standard linear TV programs
C) many have no access to broadband in their homes

I think this is because of the high cost of cable/satellite and broadband

These are 3 reasons why linear TV will continue for a long time yet.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36038453)

I agree, but the government has a programme for internet access to be delivered throughout the country. I do not see any big change before that is completed.

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So, already, about 50% are using VOD. That is very encoraging - I thought it would be lower than that as this stage.

Yes, access to the internet must be vastly improved before any transmitter signals are ceased. We are probably a decade away from that situation, but it could come quicker if the internet companies pull their fingers out.

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038459)

You are missing the point, it doesn't matter that broadband speeds are to be increased across the country - if you cannot afford what is currently on offer how are you going to afford a higher speed which will come at a higher cost?

This is not going to change in the next 20-30 years unless broadband is treated as a right similar to water. Or are you expecting super fast broadband to be free to all?

I said at least 50% pensioners are only using linear TV - as I didn't want to put a figure on it and have the likes of you dispute it.

Doesn't equate to 50% using VOD which you are surprised at by your own admission. Please don't twist my words to suit your argument.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 36038464)

My thoughts on this are that when BB becomes available to every household we may well see the likes of pensioners, and people on low incomes, being given discounts or maybe even free to those who cannot afford it.

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038468)

Really?

As someone on a below average wage and soon to be retired, I sincerely hope you are correct - however I cannot see this happening in the foreseeable future, nice as it would be.

Do you think the same might apply to gas & electric, which after all are basic essentials?

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038468)

Really?

As someone on a below average wage and soon to be retired, I sincerely hope you are correct - however I cannot see this happening in the foreseeable future, nice as it would be.

Do you think the same might apply to gas & electric, which after all are basic essentials?

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 36038478)

As Richard said there are already discounts for people on low incomes and the elderly for heating etc, my point about the BB is the same really...

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038488)

Yes, you can get help with electric and gas bills but your income needs to be well below a living wage to get them.

As for broadband, it is an on-going monthly cost not a one-off as suggested.

I cannot see any government paying for high speed broadband for all on a long term basis.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36038510)

I meant for installation, not ongoing costs. I too doubt that the Government would pay for that. Maybe the poorer members of society will get a subsidy like gas/electric or a no frills cheap option will be offered like some companies already do for phone (for essential calls) and broadband??

If poorer pensioners are still able to get a free TVL (or the TVL no longer exists by the time DTT is switched off), it may be suggested that this offsets some or all of the cost of their broadband??

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038532)

Installation is a minor problem compared with £30-40pm for a reasonable speed broadband.

Most pensioners cannot afford that - I know when I retire my wife will be pushing me to cut the amount I spend on TV, which of course is ironic as I will have a lot more time to watch it.

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038459)

You are missing the point, it doesn't matter that broadband speeds are to be increased across the country - if you cannot afford what is currently on offer how are you going to afford a higher speed which will come at a higher cost?

This is not going to change in the next 20-30 years unless broadband is treated as a right similar to water. Or are you expecting super fast broadband to be free to all?

I said at least 50% pensioners are only using linear TV - as I didn't want to put a figure on it and have the likes of you dispute it.

Doesn't equate to 50% using VOD which you are surprised at by your own admission. Please don't twist my words to suit your argument.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 36038464)

My thoughts on this are that when BB becomes available to every household we may well see the likes of pensioners, and people on low incomes, being given discounts or maybe even free to those who cannot afford it.

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038468)

Really?

As someone on a below average wage and soon to be retired, I sincerely hope you are correct - however I cannot see this happening in the foreseeable future, nice as it would be.

Do you think the same might apply to gas & electric, which after all are basic essentials?

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 36038488)

Yes, you can get help with electric and gas bills but your income needs to be well below a living wage to get them.

As for broadband, it is an on-going monthly cost not a one-off as suggested.

I cannot see any government paying for high speed broadband for all on a long term basis.

Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 36038538)

The fragmentation of provision of content is just getting silly, even if people are able to afford the multiple subscriptions involved.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36038573)

I read the 50% standard linear TV programs as Freeview/Digital TV programs (BBC, ITV, etc,) - that is what my mum- in-law watches. I surmised the other 50% as a mixture of Cable, Sky, & streaming services such as Prime & Netflix.

You thought of the other 50% as VOD - in both cases, confirmation bias appears to be in play (in my case, informed by various seniors that I know viewing habits).

Re the "one subscription at a time" - do you really believe that people will want to be switching all the time, a couple of times a month?

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36038568)

I really wasn't - I assumed you knew what you were talking about when you used the 50% figure, which was certainly news to me.

I haven't twisted anything. :confused:

You said at least 50% of pensioners ars using only linear TV. Well, what other kind of TV is there then? If at least 50% are still on linear, then it follows that up to 50% also use VOD. How is that twisting anything? It is simply the other side of your own equation.

On your first points, only the more affluent were able to afford to have a telephone back in the 1960s. However, by the 1980s, practically everyone had one.

Similarly, I expect that practically everyone will have access to broadband in time. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that a future government might pay for basic broadband speeds for the pensioners, just as they have been paying for the over 75s for their TV licences. Broadband will be considered an essential thing for every household to have before much longer.

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Agreed, Max. Anyone without broadband in the future will be invisible and practically unable to function in our increasingly digital world.

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But, with your pensionable status looming, are you seriously thinking of giving up your broadband? Of course not. Any government handouts, if they come, will be based on need, or it would cost a fortune.

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Any subsidy would be likely to be based on basic broadband for streamingt, not high speed broadband, surely.

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Except that you only need one subscription at a time. And you can change to a different provider whenever you like. Cheaper than the licence fee.