'Austerity' at the BBC

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by martyh

Not much of a choice that is it.For the sake of argument lets assume that i don't ever watch any channel or listen to any radio station that is connected with the bbc...

The BBC has nothing to do with it. If you want to watch any "live TV" you have to have a TVL. It really is that simple.

Whether I think it is fair or not is completely beside the point. Unless, of course, the point is "paying for things you don't use" in which we're back full-circle to the arguments previously stated in this thread. So I won't bother doing so again here.

However, I will add this. Of those 200 channels you mention, how many do you regularly watch? And is it fair that you have to pay for all the ones you don't watch just to be able to watch the ones you want to?

Originally Posted by carlwaring

The BBC has nothing to do with it. If you want to watch any "live TV" you have to have a TVL. It really is that simple.

It's everything to do with the BBC ,they collect the money and they spend it ,why should i pay a company money for a product i do not use (remember that this hypothetical)especially when i choose to pay far more to other companies that i feel offer a superior product .


Whether I think it is fair or not is completely beside the point. Unless, of course, the point is "paying for things you don't use" in which we're back full-circle to the arguments previously stated in this thread. So I won't bother doing so again here.

No it's not ,i'm asking for your honest opinion

[Jimmy-J]

Originally Posted by carlwaring

You have the choice to watch live TV or not. If you do then you need a licence. If you don't then you do not.

It's not what I'd call a fair choice... And my brother who chose to inform the TVL that he no longer requires services from the BBC is treated like a criminal by their henchmen.

Anyway, people-power will one day end their reign of terror, and we will be free from their oppression!

Originally Posted by Jimmy-J

Anyway, people-power will one day end their reign of terror, and we will be free from their oppression!

and on that glorious day record viewers will take up the subscription as they realise they can't now watch the programs they where adamant they never watched in the first place

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Escapee

I will put it to the test, I will fill in the forms, cancel the DD, ask for any refund due and see how I get on. The cables will be cut and hanging outside for the TV aerials and Satellite dish to be removed when the weather gets warmer.

I will update on the communications I receive, because I know from experience you are entirely incorrect and perhaps a little naive if you think TVL will not be bombarding me with threatening letters and easy payment plans.

Do me a favour if its possible video every call you get to your property and put it on YouTube for all to see

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by martyh

No it's not ,i'm asking for your honest opinion

Then the answer is yes. Because, if my answer were any different, I would be a hypocrite to pay for schools if I didn't have children, or the NHS when I don't use them much at all, or any local council service that I don't use at all.

(BTW Being long-term un-employed I don't actually pay Taxes of course. But if did, the above would be true.)

There are many things we have to pay for for the good of the nation as a whole. A national broadcaster free from commercial pressures is just one of them.

Spoiler: 

Now then. I wonder who will be the first to again accuse me of equating the NHS with the BBC which, of course, would be to completely miss the point!

Originally Posted by carlwaring

Then the answer is yes. Because, if my answer were any different, I would be a hypocrite to pay for schools if I didn't have children, or the NHS when I don't use them much at all, or any local council service that I don't use at all.

(BTW Being long-term un-employed I don't actually pay Taxes of course. But if did, the above would be true.)

There you go again ,comparing the bbc to essential services admittedly some of the council services aren't essential but that's a different thread and the councils have a different remit to central government .

Anyhoo you think it is fair that people pay for a media service regardless of whether they use it or not ,damn pleased sky or VM don't have that policy .

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by martyh

There you go again ,comparing the bbc to essential services

Some might (and actually do) say that a national broadcaster, free from commercial services, is essential.

admittedly some of the council services aren't essential

So it is a valid comparison then

Anyhoo you think it is fair that people pay for a media service regardless of whether they use it or not ,damn pleased sky or VM don't have that policy .

I did not say "a media service like Sky or VM". I said a "national broadcaster free from commercial pressure". Two completely different things. But nice spin

Originally Posted by carlwaring

Some might (and actually do) say that a national broadcaster, free from commercial services, is essential.

well it's not ,and its ridiculous to suggest it is

So it is a valid comparison then

no

I

did not say "a media service like Sky or VM". I said a "national broadcaster free from commercial pressure". Two completely different things. But nice spin

and i didn't say you did ,i said it's a good job sky or VM don't have the same policy as the bbc

anyway this discussion is worn out and getting further OT by the second,we are supposed to be discussing the disgraceful wage settlements of BBC execs ...as perceived by the public and the government

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by martyh

well it's not ,and its ridiculous to suggest it is

Well that may be your opinion, and of course you are welcome to it, but it is a minority view.

---------- Post added at 09:56 ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 ----------

Originally Posted by martyh

I and i didn't say you did ,i said it's a good job sky or VM don't have the same policy as the bbc.

Why would they; there's clearly no money in it?

And, before you try and twist that, Sky and VM exist only to make a profit for their share-holders whilst the BBC does not.

anyway this discussion is worn out and getting further OT by the second,we are supposed to be discussing the disgraceful wage settlements of BBC execs ...as perceived by the public and the government

Unfortunately, their perception is clearly wrong; fueled I am sure by certain "news" papers' anti-BBC rhetoric. If they stuck to facts then there wouldn't be a problem.

Lets get back to the topic please.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by carlwaring

Well that may be your opinion, and of course you are welcome to it, but it is a minority view.

Would you like to show proof ?

BTW the way you are defending the BBC and these high payoffs any one would think you WORKED for the BBC

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Would you like to show proof?

BBC1 and BBC2 are the most-watched pair of channels from any single broadcaster.

Now, either people are simply watching the BBC "because they're forced to pay for it" or the BBC are actually making programmes that people want to watch.

However, that's OT so if you want to carry on with it, start another thread

Originally Posted by Sirius

Would you like to show proof ?

BTW the way you are defending the BBC and these high payoffs any one would think you WORKED for the BBC

Actually Sirius I think that carl is just passionate about us having an independent public broadcaster.I too want that and I cannot see any way of achieving that using another method other than the licence fee.

I see that you resent having to pay the licence fee.I too don't like paying taxes but that's life.There is virtually a tax on everything these days and we just have to pay them.We aren't rich enough to use tax havens and the ways of avoiding paying tax are limited for the likes of thee and me.

Sadly the BBC isn't the only public body paying over the odds in wages and salaries.You only have to buy Private Eye and read who the latest turd is who is mugging the public purse in sums that actually eclipse the amounts that the workshy/disabled/terminally ill are accused of cheating the system.

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Sadly the BBC isn't the only public body paying over the odds in wages and salaries.

The point being that they aren't paying "over the odds". They're paying in line with others. Whether that is "over the odds" is merely personal opinion.