Cable Forum - View Single Post - TV licence non payment could be made a civil offence

**Chris** · 23-03-2014, 16:47

I think the writing is now on the wall for the TVL, and I think that is exactly what is the long-term aim of those who have successfully lobbied for decriminalisation of non-payment.

There will undoubtedly be those who were put off non-payment by the threat of a criminal record who will be willing to chance it if there is only a civil penalty. There will be others who see the 'downgrading' in severity as a signal that it is now sort-of OK to refuse to pay. By the time we get to negotiations for the 2027 charter renewal I predict the BBC will be struggling with a serious non-payment problem and this will force significant changes to the BBC's funding model from 2027.

I don't believe the idea of encrypting its services will fly; half of all households still don't take subscription TV and the BBC will not take the chance that resistance to that funding model and the technology that supports it will lead to reduced take-up of its services. We are going to end up in a world where the BBC sells advertising slots just as ITV does, and as the BBC hoovers up a share of the finite advertising money available to our supermarkets, consumer brands etc, we are going to see some other less popular channels go to the wall.

Interesting times ahead.

23-03-2014, 16:47	#141
Chris Trollsplatter Cable Forum Team Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North of Watford Services: Humane elimination of all common Internet pests Posts: 38,299	Re: TV licence non payment could be made a civil offence I think the writing is now on the wall for the TVL, and I think that is exactly what is the long-term aim of those who have successfully lobbied for decriminalisation of non-payment. There will undoubtedly be those who were put off non-payment by the threat of a criminal record who will be willing to chance it if there is only a civil penalty. There will be others who see the 'downgrading' in severity as a signal that it is now sort-of OK to refuse to pay. By the time we get to negotiations for the 2027 charter renewal I predict the BBC will be struggling with a serious non-payment problem and this will force significant changes to the BBC's funding model from 2027. I don't believe the idea of encrypting its services will fly; half of all households still don't take subscription TV and the BBC will not take the chance that resistance to that funding model and the technology that supports it will lead to reduced take-up of its services. We are going to end up in a world where the BBC sells advertising slots just as ITV does, and as the BBC hoovers up a share of the finite advertising money available to our supermarkets, consumer brands etc, we are going to see some other less popular channels go to the wall. Interesting times ahead.