TV licence non payment could be made a civil offence

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Bet quite a few of the ones who don't pay use its services, though.......

Yeh. probably 10p's worth.

Originally Posted by Jimmy-J

Some people go on as if the the BBC are the be-all and end-all. Like they, or life itself, couldn't possibly survive without it. Life will go on, it's not that important... to me, and hundreds of thousands of others like me, we don't agree with you, we want to have the choice not to pay for a non-essential service without the intimidation and threats of large fines and a possible prison sentence just for watching / having a TV.

I won't be intimidated or threatened by these shysters, and that's why I don't pay the fee, and never will.

In other words you want something for nothing

---------- Post added at 17:03 ---------- Previous post was at 17:00 ----------

Originally Posted by Escapee

And the reason is simple. It's because currently it is subsidised by people who are forced to pay for something that they would happily do without if they were given the choice. Giving people the choice is something the BBC are petrified to do, because they know what the outcome will be.

Rubbish ,the subscription will be roughly twice the amount of the current licence fee simply because that is the market rate set by sky and VM .

---------- Post added at 17:05 ---------- Previous post was at 17:03 ----------

Originally Posted by Damien

Some people don't want to pay for art galleries, some people don't want to pay for nuclear weapons or for a large military, some people don't want to pay for schools if they're not using them and others don't want to pay for the social services.

I don't think the idea that you are forced to pay for something you don't use is lost on him. I think the idea that this isn't especially novel is lost on you.

I would categorise the BBC as a similar investment as that which goes into art galleries, maintenance of historical buildings, and other public grants which are deemed to be important to strengthening our culture. British culture and the sheer amount of musicians, comedians, actors, writers and directors that we produce is pretty impressive and a good portion of them are helped into the mainstream by the BBC.

BBC Radio often has played a large role in promoting British acts. Coldplay were given their first airtime by BBC Radio 1 and the BBC's Sound of 'year' has paid a part in launching the careers of several of our musicians. BBC Radio 4 has also given a lot of writers and comedians a platform from with to start as well. Fry and Laurie were given their biggest break by the Beeb as were Monty Python. Mitchell and Webb are a more recent example as is Ricky Gervais and The Office.

If the BBC is just another commercial broadcaster then they will take less risks and won't have a public duty to promote British interests. We will be seamed by cheaper American imports just like Sky, the model many on here wish to see us copy.

---------- Post added at 17:10 ---------- Previous post was at 17:05 ----------

Originally Posted by tweetiepooh

You can't take a TV tax out of general taxation as some people don't have a TV at all.

.

Why not? those without tv's subsidise CH4 by way of government grants ,it was originally intended to be funded by a share of the license fee and advertising but in the end it was decided to give grants out of general taxation

[Jimmy-J]

Originally Posted by martyh

In other words you want something for nothing

Wrong. Now, you just be a good boy, and carry on paying for the things you want, and I'll carry on saving my money to pay for the things I want.

Rubbish ,the subscription will be roughly twice the amount of the current licence fee simply because that is the market rate set by sky and VM .

Then I'm sure you won't mind paying them the extra for such an outstanding, must have service.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

IF, the BBC was pay TV service - they would go bust as no one would watch it. Most of my Tv, is BBC for Susanna Reid, and that is it.

I cannot understand why they dont have adverts like all the other channels. To my knowledge they have moved everything to Manchester, you have the large Tv studios at White City - the old one has been sold, but they studios all over London.

And they also use the studios for other companies, so why can't they use that money to cover costs.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

Yes, Susanna did defect to ITV, thats where l am heading - have you seen her on YouTube - Phew.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

IF, the BBC was pay TV service - they would go bust as no one would watch it. Most of my Tv, is BBC for Susanna Reid, and that is it.
.

what a load of rubbish ,the BBC is by a country mile the most popular tv service this country has consistently taking 80% of viewing

http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing/weekly...ry?period_year[]=2014&period_month[]=3&period_week[]=2&button_submit=View+figures&period[]=201403060102

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Don't expect scintillating conversation though. She's not the sharpest tool in the box.

I am sure Arthur will be dreadfully disappointed he won't be able to discuss Kierkegaard's views on philosophy and theology with her, and will be upset she won't be debating if he (Mr K) was an existentialist, postmodernist, or simply a neo-orthodoxist.....

Originally Posted by Jimmy-J

Wrong. Now, you just be a good boy, and carry on paying for the things you want, and I'll carry on saving my money to pay for the things I want.



Then I'm sure you won't mind paying them the extra for such an outstanding, must have service.

Actually i would mind ,i mind very much that people enjoy the service but don't want to pay for it ,it pushes the price up from what is very good value to a cost that some of the poorest cannot afford ,an affordable service meant for all is being eroded by greedy selfish gits using the excuse of 'freedom' and 'choice' to justify not paying the licence fee

I would say BBC One is a national "treasure" although I detest that phrase. It's the channel that major national events are aired on, it's one of the oldest television channels in the World, it shows programs like Sherlock and so on.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

have you seen her on YouTube - Phew.

Is she posting upskirt videos of herself?

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Well we don't pay for the BBC and by the same token we rarely if ever use the BBC. Sometimes it's unavoidable with some links on this site.

I would be happy to pay for R4 in some way as it is a valid service. The TV channels are IMHO not a national "treasure" and should not be treated as such.

There seem to be some here that would have the BBC at any price. Yes, YOU pay for it!

Don't force others on pain of prison to subsidise your viewing.

I'm not

Those like you are doing it to yourself .It is your choice to break the law ,nobody is forcing you

[blackthorn]

Isnt the Fa cup final a major national event, thats not on BBC this year

[Jimmy-J]

Originally Posted by martyh

Actually i would mind ,i mind very much that people enjoy the service but don't want to pay for it ,it pushes the price up from what is very good value to a cost that some of the poorest cannot afford ,an affordable service meant for all is being eroded by greedy selfish gits using the excuse of 'freedom' and 'choice' to justify not paying the licence fee

That's the BBC through and through. You need to put the blame on them, not on the people who are being threatened and made to pay for it.

Originally Posted by Jimmy-J

That's the BBC through and through. You need to put the blame on them, not on the people who are being threatened and made to pay for it.

I'm not saying that the BBC doesn't need a top down reorganization ,i actually shout very loud at the waste and attitude by it's top brass because they are ruining a much needed and valuable service with their greed and 'old boys club' behavior.I do not think however that it is is a excuse to cheat the system

[Arthurgray50@blu]

When l was a young man, there were only two tv channels going - ITV and BBC, now some 50 years later, l got a job delivering the best wine and champagne to the BBC at White City and Portman Place (the home of the Beeb) ans till they had the best stuff.

To me what has caused major problems for the Beeb, is all the money they are wasting. They wanted US, the licence payer to pay for BBC Digital, and now they are scarpping BBC3. and making it online.

What the BBC have to do is to go back to making great progs, and not the scrap they are doing now.
The Beeb, now is being beaten at everything they are bidding for yet, will spend thousands on parties for staff and simply wasting money on worthless ventures that they cannot win.

We are wasting OUR money on a channel that can quite easily advertise products.

Lets look at it this way - when they 'Advertise' there progs, aren't they advertising. Advertisers would jump at the chance to have BBC advertising.