BBC plans to increase license fee

[Marble]

You are way of the beat here comparing schools and hospitals that are essential community services with subsidised television programs for the English market.

Making entertainment on the same priority of spending as schools and hospitals, services that do perform a real function.

Not so far off beat. It's a cultural service, one dedicated to preserving the art and cultural diversity of the British nations and of the UK as a whole. This is really important, and part of what gives the British such a strong international image. No where else in the English speaking world is there such a service, respected for its news and drama, independent, and generally speaking fairly transparent and responsible.

There is crap on the air, and the Beeb do make commissioning mistakes, but the fact that it's willing to take risks on these is a good sign. Look at British drama outside of the BBC right now. It will probably take decades for ITV to compete in quality original content again after melting down in a fit of reality and game show programming. C4 is laying almost as low. In this economy only the BBC can continue to commission projects based on their perceived cultural value. Even the Beeb's most quotidian programming (like Eastenders) can afford to be less cynical than those created under profit-minded executives.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/16/tv-writers-support-bbc-drama

God knows there are problems, but the BBC is really special, Brits. You don't know what you have over here.

EDIT: and the license fee is what makes it possible.

 

[Cabbit]

Not so far off beat. It's a cultural service, one dedicated to preserving the art and cultural diversity of the British nations and of the UK as a whole. This is really important, and part of what gives the British such a strong international image. No where else in the English speaking world is there such a service, respected for its news and drama, independent, and generally speaking fairly transparent and responsible.

There is crap on the air, and the Beeb do make commissioning mistakes, but the fact that it's willing to take risks on these is a good sign. Look at British drama outside of the BBC right now. It will probably take decades for ITV to compete in quality original content again after melting down in a fit of reality and game show programming. C4 is laying almost as low. In this economy only the BBC can continue to commission projects based on their perceived cultural value. Even the Beeb's most quotidian programming (like Eastenders) can afford to be less cynical than those created under profit-minded executives.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/16/tv-writers-support-bbc-drama

God knows there are problems, but the BBC is really special, Brits. You don't know what you have over here.

EDIT: and the license fee is what makes it possible.

All well and good but it leaves me in the same situation where i have to pay for channels i do not watch, so i ether have to pay the BBC tax or not watch any television programs at all.
And right now i think i am better served with DVD's since if i want the Sci Fi channel, Sky News, Cartoon channels, Sky1, and channel 4 i would not only have to pay for a package from sky/virgin but also have to pay extra into funding a organisation i can not find reason to support especially when we see the excellent job the Sci Fi channel did in recreating Battlestar Galatica to the nonsense the BBC is producing with Doctor Who.

 

[Marble]

All well and good but it leaves me in the same situation where i have to pay for channels i do not watch, so i ether have to pay the BBC tax or not watch any television programs at all.
And right now i think i am better served with DVD's since if i want the Sci Fi channel, Sky News, Cartoon channels, Sky1, and channel 4 i would not only have to pay for a package from sky/virgin but also have to pay extra into funding a organisation i can not find reason to support especially when we see the excellent job the Sci Fi channel did in recreating Battlestar Galatica to the nonsense the BBC is producing with Doctor Who.

Like yourself, I have little time for Doctor Who, but I don't have a problem paying for it because it supports the arts and culture of the UK. The BBC does try to represent a wide range of tastes and regions (they really could do better about regional drama - but I think they are perhaps wising up to the dangers of centralisation now that there is no more Head of Fiction). They've got a number of TV and radio channels and they try new stuff all the time. In fact, Scotland's Still Game is one of the BBC's regional success stories. They even run one of the world's only unsolicited submission sites for original writing so that people who feel underrepresented can get involved.

The blind license fee is integral to keeping the BBC a public service, with a mandate to entertain and enlighten the UK, and not just a subscriber-hungry monster like Sky. Perhaps the license fee should really be part of our taxes because, like you say, that's pretty much what it is.

 

[weckart]

You are way of the beat here comparing schools and hospitals that are essential community services with subsidised television programs for the English market.

Making entertainment on the same priority of spending as schools and hospitals, services that do perform a real function.

Please do explain exactly how BBC Scotland, BBC Alba, BBC Ulster and BBC Cymru serve the "English" market.

The BBC has a broad remit not limited to entertainment - or how would you categorise the Open University, for example? The BBC clearly serves a community function, not beholden to advertisers or small focus groups. It has to cater for all sections of society. I would not have called any of the BBC television programmes I had to watch at school as entertainment.

In Dr Who, you have got scifi headed by a Scottish protagonist, so even your stringent requirements are met with the most popular programme it broadcasts.

I was forced to take and pay for a standard cable TV package when I subcribed to a broadband service. Over and above what I got with terrestial tv was limited to Sky 1, which comprised of Simpsons repeats, American Pro wrestling and Star Trek. That was it. Nothing worth watching.

You might feel that your narrow viewing interests are not covered enough by the BBC but life outside state funded television is much worse.

 

[0098386]

In Dr Who, you have got scifi headed by a Scottish protagonist, so even your stringent requirements are met with the most popular programme it broadcasts.

With a Welsh writer and produced (IIRC) by BBC Wales. It's only the companions that are from London, and the basis of some episodes.
Just thought I'd say.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

With a Welsh writer and produced (IIRC) by BBC Wales. It's only the companions that are from London, and the basis of some episodes.
Just thought I'd say.

Indeed, it is produced by BBC Wales.

However, the Welshman you speak of – Lead Writer and Producer Russell T Davis – is leaving the show, but fret not because fortunately he's being replaced with Steven Moffat, who happens to be a Scot.

Phew!

 

[Lorenz0]

If you look at it like any other subscription service, for what it is per month it's pretty decent value

 

[trule]

If you look at it like any other subscription service, for what it is per month it's pretty decent value

Good value for sure, if you watch it, I pay tax here but I NEVER watch TV broadcasts...its really great value for me, all that culture and good programming that I have no interest in but still have to pay for.

I would be quite happy if the BBC became a subscription service, they could do with having to work for their money...

 

[Marble]

Good value for sure, if you watch it, I pay tax here but I NEVER watch TV broadcasts...its really great value for me, all that culture and good programming that I have no interest in but still have to pay for.

I would be quite happy if the BBC became a subscription service, they could do with having to work for their money...

The BBC do work hard, but for a better cause than money.

 

[Cabbit]

Good value for sure, if you watch it, I pay tax here but I NEVER watch TV broadcasts...its really great value for me, all that culture and good programming that I have no interest in but still have to pay for.

I would be quite happy if the BBC became a subscription service, they could do with having to work for their money...

Totally agree, a subscription to the channels should be a choice and not mandatory for the viewing of the other free channels or for channels you actually pay because you want to watch them.

 

[MagicWok]

• The World Service in however many squillion languages. The BBC is a public service funded by the British taxpayer, and broadcasts in Russian, Somali and Arabic are not in the British public interest.

• Their web services are too big. Is it really in the British public interest to run the biggest website in the world? Equally, as it's paid for by the British taxpayer, more bandwidth-intensive stuff (audio and video) should be charged for by those outside of the UK. Why should the British taxpayer pay for foreigners watching and listening to their content? I'm aware I watched and listened to a lot of BBC content when living in Paris, but I held the same view then - I'd have happily paid a monthly subscription fee to access the BBC's site, especially the news and radio content.

This is the thing - the BBC needs to create more reasons for it to continue to exist. It bothers me that it is a legal requirement for us to pay for the BBC whether or not we use its services. I fail to see why I should fund the BBC Russian service just because I happen to own a television. It's an old fashioned principle which has reached its end.

The World Service is not funded through the Licence Fee at all, so you do not pay for the BBC Russian Service.

I for one would greatly encourage the BBC's continuing presence online. Especially if they continue to produce services such as iPlayer and the UK News site. It's something that is pushing technology and the market along.

iPlayer is the biggest bandwidth hog of the whole BBC, and should not be charged to foreign users. Users abroad can not access any iPlayer content, and much of the live broadcasts on the the UK News site can only be accessed by UK users also.

~~~

Now while I don't think the licence fee should be increased, I don't think any top-slicing should occur. Also the argument that the BBC should lower the fee until they operate on the level of ITV etc is absurd too for many reasons. What I do like, is that BBC sharing their developments, for example their sharing the BBC iPlayer technology with ITV.

 

[carlosbutler]

paying these stupid fees is ridiculous, especially for students and low income house holds. its just another thing that is to be paid for.

what gets me is that you are not allowed to watch out the country. so many other countries let you watch their programs.

the BBC is only producing a few good programs, Top Gear for example or Dr. Who and even those are getting pretty boring. the last series of top gear is just not even that good or exciting. a few funny bits, but not entertaining. heck ive started watching fifth gear, thats sometimes better (loved the drifting bus' )

 

[jbernie]

As an Aussie who grew up watching lots of British tv shows (no idea if they were all BBC or not)... and no lives in the USA (10 years) I can say that quite a bit of the programming we see on BBC America is much better than the US rubbish. I would happily pay your license fees for better tv viewing, even understanding that not all of it is good

 

[combatcolin]

The license fee is excellent value for money and the BBC is a Cornerstone of British society.

Unless, of course you read the Daily Mail, who object with overcompensation to anything or anyone that doesn't agree with them.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

On the other side of the coin... Miss Jaffa Cake asked the other day, "When was the last time we watched anything on ITV?"

Apart from football, I can't think of anything I've watched on that channel in ages – certainly no series that I've viewed regularly. Compared to ITV, the BBC's programming is far superior I reckon.

 

[bartelby]

On the other side of the coin... Miss Jaffa Cake asked the other day, "When was the last time we watched anything on ITV?"

Apart from football, I can't think of anything I've watched on that channel in ages – certainly no series that I've viewed regularly. Compared to ITV, the BBC's programming is far superior I reckon.

I thought you were a Corrie fan.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I thought you were a Corrie fan.

You're confusing me with calculus. If I want to watch the day-to-day lives of grubby t'Northerners who talk odd I can just set a camera up in my living room.

 

[0098386]

I actually don't know when I last watched 5. Or 5ive or whatever they want to call it.
I sometimes catch a glimpse of ITV, and Channel 4 has some good documentaries and comedies from time to time.

But what annoys me muchly is the Sky Mag. Does anyone else get this? It's just a 60 or so page advert for Sky HD. "Hey if you watch this show in HD you'll know it better and it'll MAKE YOUR LIFE SUPER COMPLETE"

 

[Cabbit]

I actually don't know when I last watched 5. Or 5ive or whatever they want to call it.
I sometimes catch a glimpse of ITV, and Channel 4 has some good documentaries and comedies from time to time.

But what annoys me muchly is the Sky Mag. Does anyone else get this? It's just a 60 or so page advert for Sky HD. "Hey if you watch this show in HD you'll know it better and it'll MAKE YOUR LIFE SUPER COMPLETE"

You see the same happens on both sides of the fence, i have not watched a BBC channel in almost 2 years getting.
Yet in order to watch other channels i would still have to pay for the BBC channels, it would be like everyone in the UK paying the Sci Fi channel or they would be fined for watching TV.

 

[Marble]

You see the same happens on both sides of the fence, i have not watched a BBC channel in almost 2 years getting.
Yet in order to watch other channels i would still have to pay for the BBC channels, it would be like everyone in the UK paying the Sci Fi channel or they would be fined for watching TV.

Except completely different. The mission statement of a subscription service could never be "to enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/purpose/

Making the BBC opt-in would destroy its mandate. At the very best, you would have service interrupted by annoying "pledge drives" like the PBS in America, where they essentially beg for your money until they can afford to get back to broadcasting TV.

Perhaps you're approaching this in the wrong way. Clearly there is a you-shaped gap in the BBC's staggering array of original programming. Why not identify what it is the BBC doesn't offer you and send them a suggestion? They have to listen. Honestly, I would be interested in the answer, too. You mentioned Battlestar Galactica vs. Doctor Who, but you don't like Spooks? What about the new Torchwood?

 

[dazey]

I get the feeling I am part of a growing minority. I opted out of the licence, living on the ground floor in London means that digital reception sucks to the point of being barely useable and I only ever had a USB reciever. Switching to only being able to watch timeshifted iplayer and channel4 content was hardly hard. The BBC atitude is ridiculous, I have had threatening letters but at no time have I been asked if I have a tv. The harder they threaten the less I want to be involved.

 

[Marble]

I agree that the letters are obnoxious and a little insulting; they seem to assume guilt.

 

[Cabbit]

Except completely different. The mission statement of a subscription service could never be "to enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/purpose/

Making the BBC opt-in would destroy its mandate. At the very best, you would have service interrupted by annoying "pledge drives" like the PBS in America, where they essentially beg for your money until they can afford to get back to broadcasting TV.

Perhaps you're approaching this in the wrong way. Clearly there is a you-shaped gap in the BBC's staggering array of original programming. Why not identify what it is the BBC doesn't offer you and send them a suggestion? They have to listen. Honestly, I would be interested in the answer, too. You mentioned Battlestar Galactica vs. Doctor Who, but you don't like Spooks? What about the new Torchwood?

Not interested in Spooks does not look like my type of show, i watched the latest episode of torchwood at my fathers i don't really like dumbed down kids stuff in programs that are meant to be taken seriously.

And in response to the BBC mandate does that mean if i set up a company with a mandate to provide a service to the few people in some village that i deserve to be paid annually from every resident in the country, even those that do not use my service?.

Also further the me shaped hole is filled by other channels but in order for me to have the privilege to pay to subscribe to them i must also pay for the BBC, i will not pay twice just to keep a company afloat i do not see any value in.

 

[weckart]

Also further the me shaped hole is filled by other channels but in order for me to have the privilege to pay to subscribe to them i must also pay for the BBC, i will not pay twice just to keep a company afloat i do not see any value in.

As long as the community, of which you are a part, does see value in the BBC, you will pay.

That was the point I was making likening the BBC's charter with tax funded services. I may not benefit personally from the services, into which my tax monies flow, but as long as the community as a whole does, then I am bound to pay my share. Or I could leave the community.

 

[Cabbit]

As long as the community, of which you are a part, does see value in the BBC, you will pay.

That was the point I was making likening the BBC's charter with tax funded services. I may not benefit personally from the services, into which my tax monies flow, but as long as the community as a whole does, then I am bound to pay my share. Or I could leave the community.

The community does not benefit from television what nonsense it is to think otherwise.
Television programs are not required and their is always alternatives such as DVD's and digital downloads to avoid the BBC tax. They will not get another penny, nor will i support any business that can not stand on its own feet.