Do you agree with the TV lisence?

Question

Do you think the TV lisence is a fare tax?
we are one of very few countrys that issue a tax on watching TV if not the only?
what we are paying for is the BBC when all the other chanels are free to watch as they pay for them selves through advertising.
The BBC is not an optional medium you have to pay for it even if you dont watch the BBC.
I think if they want us to pay for it then they should make it a subscription chanel not force us to pay for something that not everybody can afford.
The lisencing bourd are thinking of charging a lisence fee for a PC as more and more of us are getting TV channels through our PC?
What do you think to all this?

Answer 1

I think it a big rip off & the sooner they do away with it the better

Answer 2

i work for the largest commercial broadcasting company in the UK - guess who??!!!
From a company point of view, I'm glad the BBC don't advertise because it would instantly half my employers advertising revenue, and I'd probably be out of a job.

As a viewer though, and as my personal opinion, I thoroughly disagree with the level of TV 'Tax'. There are some very strong arguments for it, as the BBC does put out some amazing programmes. The big feature wildlife series with David Attenborough etc wouldn't be made, because they cost so much, it would never be commercially viable (you'd never recover the cost of making it). But really, the BBC pumps out some real cr@p and doesn't justify the outrageous amount we're charged to cover their costs.
I would propose that a reduced licence fee would be charged, maybe a standard £20 per year to cover essential broadcasts from the government (severe weather warnings etc).
Even then, the government can and do command when necessary all broadcast signals when it's necessary to inform the public of something they deem important. They'll probably tax PC's soon although that is unwarranted aswell, until all PC's come with TV cards fitted as standard.

Answer 3

If you speak to older British people about an evening's television programme, you may find yourself being asked "what 'side' is that on?" Until 1954 the BBC was the only organisation permitted to broadcast television and it was funded by the television license. The arrival of independent television - which was commercially funded by advertising - gave the British a choice previously denied them. Thus, there was the BBC and "the other side". Accordingly "side" was and, to some, still is the colloquial British word for "channel".

The license fee is anachronistic and should be abolished. It has no bearing on the manner of television broadcasting in Britain today. It gives the BBC a commercial advantage denied everybody else and imposes an unfair tax on an already overtaxed population. What worked in 1956 does not in 2006!

Answer 4

The BBC is an institution and the license fee is actually quite small for what it provides.

That said, I agree it should be a subscription service. Everyone knows it, that's why the question is never raised as there is no reason it couldn't have been done years ago.

You even need a TV license if you own a video as you could watch recorded programmes...What's all that about.

Don't forget a tax on X -box and also PS2 duty.

Answer 5

Years ago there were add breaks halfway through the show now I notice that there are adds before the show 2 mins in befor the title music 2 min before the end of the show often there isnt a compleat scene before the next add break.
If they use adds to finance the programs makes you wonder what we are actually paing for.
90% of the programs are repeats and the same show is aired twice a day with the catch up at the weekend (thats the same show at least 3 times a week)

Can you get TV through the PC? I dont, how will they prove that? and finally what is the point when most homes have the main living room TV one in the adults room one in each of the kids room and one in the kitchen. Hold on they only need on in the bath and thats every room full!

Answer 6

It's just another case of rip off Britain. Like you say you have no choice, if you only want to watch channel 3, 4 and 5 you still have to pay for the BBC, which also covers the radio, but lets admit it it is crap. I am rather fortunate though as I live in Germany and steal my British TV via satellite.

Answer 7

In some regions you pay for your TV and PC. As some PC's give of signals to the licensing detection. I feel we should remain to have a free TV as the BBC channels. We shouldn't have to pay for British TV. It about time the government subsides essentials commodities such as TV and health as we pay so much taxes and revenue for government run services, but where is all the quality gone? To paid services such Sky TV and the private sector; Healthcare. The working person hardly sees it.

Answer 8

the television license isn't something more beneficial than state-prepared funding of the BBC, with even those who do not favor to visual demonstrate unit BBC programming being compelled to "make a contribution." If there changed into ever any justification for the license, and that is a large if, then it really led to 1955 even as self sufficient television began. that's time the television license changed into scrapped, as got here about to the radio license in 1971.

Answer 9

The BBC offers exceptional value for money. I for one don't mind paying the licence fee as I watch the beeb more than any other channel. I don't want to see adverts, and if i did, there are hundreds of channels of cr*p interspersed by ads which I could subject myself to.

Don't you want quality television? Don't you want David Attenborough's outstanding natural history programmes or some of the best comedy in the world?

Answer 10

While I do not agree with the practise we must remember that there is a need for a broadcaster that is not entirely commercial in its out look in an effort to maintain balance and some sort of impartiality and give disadvantaged groups a place of expression!

Answer 11

I agree with the TV license, I hate adverts, they are always things that you don't need, and most of the time don't want. If I choose to watch any of the commercial channels then I am forced to sit through these desperate displays of people trying to get me to part with my money.