Should the TELEVISION LICENCE be scrapped, in the UK?

Question

This question is for United Kingdom.

A licence is required for anyone in possession of a Television with a TV or TV recording equipment in the UK. This requirement is enforceable by law; the enforcers go about their job with the same efficiency as the Gestapo did in Nazi Germany. A

The monies collected go entirely to the BBC. I feel that the BBC should become financially independent, like the other independent
companies and gain the revenue from advertising.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

I am going to leave this for the Community to select the best ANSWER.

I am going to leave this for the Community to select the best ANSWER.

Answer 1

HAHAHAHA, yup Britain is much more queer than I thought.

Answer 2

I personally think that the BBC does a great job in many ways- a world class news service, quality and innovative comedy and drama, documentaries, Saturday Kitchen, excellent radio services and of course the website.

Where I do understand what people don't like about the BBC is when they do derivative property and reality shows (Strictly Come Dance Fever Two of Us Maria anyone?) and fill BBC Three's schedule with repeats of Two Pints of Lager when they own half of UK Gold for this purpose.

Though I don't think that the Licence Fee should be scrapped I think the public should have more power to ask them to stop programmes like those listed above. We all pay for it, so shouldn't we have a say in what's on it?

I don't think scrapping the licence fee is an option. I think it would end up like Channel 4 and be forced to run money making programmes like Big Brother and bought-in US shows which would fund, but not as many, remit fulfilling programmes.

Answer 3

To answer, I will give you a Cut & Paste of one of my blog entries. The full link is shown below.

I've just thrown away my original post. I was going to post a few interesting bits and pieces related to my scribblings. However, as usual, found myself back at the BBC site after a random synapse misfunctioned and I got sidetracked. I read someone making a claim as to a 'news' event and was sensationalising and generalising like their life depended upon it. My first instinct was to verify the reporting using the BBC.

It was just one of my many dips in and out of this great institution online, on the radio and on TV.

I l learned about a small milestone for the BBC. On June 7th 1946, BBC Television started up again after a break for the war. They started up by broadcasting the same Mickey Mouse cartoon they were showing when the war started. BBC online marked the event with an interesting article in their magazine section. Any excuse to show a repeat, eh Auntie?

Another contribution to my education came in the car, listening to the radio.According to Simon Mayo, the Victorians used to call a work room which was kept in a state of untidiness a 'SLUTTERY'. Online dictionaries give a much less flattering definition that is nowhere near as romantic.

Of course, Simon Mayo works on BBC Radio Five Live.


In modern Britain we all like to have a bit of a guffaw up our sleeves whenever we see a coat of arms. After all, they do appear a bit stuffy, a bit past it and belonging to a different age and class. But that Motto : NATION SHALL SPEAK PEACE UNTO NATION - now that really is worth thinking about!

The great thing about the BBC is that it has managed to resist joining in with the way the rest of the media chooses to operate. It does appear to try and tread a path that retains a level of objectivity. For the most part, it knows the difference between reporting and editorialising and normally separates the two. For that I am greatful.


As the BBC never tires of telling us, it can provide these services because of the unique way it is funded. Evertone in Britain who owns a TV pays an annual license fee that goes to the BBC to pay. Because of this, the BBC doesn't need to bow to commercial pressures and concentrate on fufilling its charter.

Sure, there are pressures from Government - sometimes intense like in the run up to the Iraq war - but even so, if there is a more trustworthy source for reporting, I have yet to find it.

Perhaps more importantly, it offers up a news service that is trusted by others outside of the United Kingdom. Truly speaking unto other nations.

We are lucky to have a free press. We are lucky to have the BBC.

I tell myself that the price of this freedom is eternal vigilence - that is why I'll have a pop at Aunty and why I write and complain when I believe they haven't met their own high standards.


Above all, I believe that motto. If everyone in the world is getting news they believe and trust. Every time us Brits go abroad we benefit from that belief and trust. I'd like to also think that the BBC also helps to make war that little less likely - well, obviously there are exceptions to every rule.

Answer 4

I have to say I resent having to pay for the privelege of watching a lot of what is essentially rubbish when I can get rubbish for free on the other three channels!

However, although I do agree that I think the BBC would do well to find a way of funding themselves beyond the outmoded TV tax they impose, remember that they do also provide a VERY good website and lots of free, quality radio stations, all funded by the TV licence. I for one appreciate the refreshing lack of advertising moguls blaring their wares on the BBC's tv and radio stations.

Answer 5

Yes.The BBC should have to work for it's income like the other channels whether it be subscription or advertising.
There is simply no excuse for the BBC to be funded the way it is now, which is simply a means by which the government can keep control of who runs it and therefore indirectly controls it's output.
This is not the way broadcasting should be in a true, free democracy.

Answer 6

It has been several years since the BBC has provided the public service it is mandated to. It is now no different to any other broadcaster. It is an unapologetic supporter of the government. In the old days, it used to report the facts. It could be trusted. That is no longer the case. It follows that it should have to fund its operations like any other commercial enterprise.

Answer 7

Yes. You also need a licence for watching TV programmes on your computer....................
.thanks to the BBC!
What is it for? And how can a telly tax be justified in an era of multi-channel TV? Today’s BBC is more concerned with building an empire of unwatched digital channels funded by Joe Public,BBC3 show continues repeats!!! They rake in the money from the licence fee before we even begin to tot up the millions they make from merchandising, lucrative sponsorship deals and overseas sales. And yet you have to search long and hard for quality broadcasting. BBC educational shows are either dumbed down or tucked away out of sight on BBC4. Their mass entertainment is laughable!!!!!!

Answer 8

I like the BBC because it takes broadcasting, and the benefits of it, so seriously. Look at the BBC website (one of the best and popular sites in the world) and look at the ITV website (never been there? didn't think so). It just wouldn't do all these things if they had to be justified by revenue.

Answer 9

Did you know that if you have a mobile phone with Tv capability then you need a Tv licence even if you dont have any other receiving equipment in your home.
Yes folks, the telly tax is for the receiving equipment regardless what channel you watch.

I say keep the BBC commercial free..
I hate commercial radio.

Answer 10

I always feel like people should have an option of using and therefore paying for it, or opting out, with the channel then being blocked somehow. Its a very high price to pay, especially as the BBC paychecks are notoriously high!!!

Answer 11

The TV license is just another thing the great British public pay for, due to the simple reason that they were told to!
It's amazing how we all bow to Government demands on the ridiculous taxes and charges they impose. Some of them are totally unjustified (if not most of them), and I'm sure many of them are unnecessary and if the fat cats of the Government weren't driving around in their jags, they would save enough dosh to abolish many of them!!!!!