[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Mr K

News, weather, local radio are essential in times of emergency. Commercial channels won't provide anything that doesnt make a profit. They also won't make any high quality niche programmes, or take risks with new content, for the same reason.

100s channels of the same repeated crap, or a few channels of quality programming no one else will do. Be careful what you wish for.

In times of emergency, the government can commandeer broadcasting resources.

Btw, this "repeated crap" isn't all crap. The Sci-Fi channel, for example.
Lots of repeats are excellent and go round and round - such as Dad's Army, Sharpe, 'Allo, 'Allo. In any case, those "repeated crap" channels don't need a TV licence.

Something needs to be done about the BBC (and its arrogance) if the licence fee is to be retained.