Has there ever been a vote from the people of Britain to determine who really wants the TV Licence?

Question

If the viewing of BBC is in the common interest, why shouldn't we vote to see if that interest if valid enough for us to have to pay for it? Is it the people who want this or just the government for their own gains?

Answer 1

I've never heard of any vote that wasn't just views. As far as I am aware there has never been a poll from the government or the BBC or anything. I think you should be able to have the BBC channels blocked out if you want. Then there would be no arguments over the TV license.

Answer 2

You are aware of the fact that the BBC does not have adverts aren't you? Where would you expect them to get the money from? The BBC is a respected all over the world, I see no harm in keeping it funded. It doesn't just provide 2 TV programs, it has numerous radio stations including the World Service which broadcasts all over the world as well as educational programs for children and adults.

Just because you don't enjoy Strictly Come Dancing doesn't mean it has no value. And by the way, its independent of the government. The government has no input into the TV shows. Even the news is always impartial. I'd rather have the BBC that put up with the tat on ITV and the racism on Big Brother on Channel 4. Lets vote on getting rid of the useless ITV instead.

Answer 3

I don't think the government has much to do with it, though it wouldn't surprise me. The BBC has a few channels that are rubbish to say the least, so why is it the BBC we pay?
Plan:
1) Don't pay for a license
2) When they come a'knockin, just explain you don't watch BBC channels
3) They will still try to fine you, but that really doesn't sound very legal to me. It's a fair bet it's not legal, so you may even get COMPENSATION for having your time wasted.

Warning: I accept no responsibility if this plan fails.

Surely the BBC can't charge us for watching channel 5!?!

DOWN WITH TV LICENSING!!! BOOO!!!!

Answer 4

It's the govenment. I could certainly do without watching BBC channels if it meant I didn't have to spend over £100 for it!!

I would like to vote on it. Only the bbc would vote in favour of it. It doesn't even have a channel where the public can put their own programmes or plays or anything!!!!

Answer 5

No and you'll never get one - because people do not want to pay for this BBC service any longer!

They should scrap the licence fee and let the BBC advertise to bring in their own revenue and stop sponging off the public!

Answer 6

A referendum on the BBC would be a nice idea. They make enough £millions each year from sales to no longer need public financing.

Answer 7

We all know the BBC is a Government propaganda machine.
Therefore the Government having only our money to play with we are sponsoring "New Labour Spin" like it or not!!!

Answer 8

should any business survive that can't fund itself? I find the licence absurd. I can't imagine having to pay a compulsory food licence to Tesco that allows me to eat when I do all my shopping at Sainsbury's.

Adverts aren't the only way a tv company makes money. The point is that we've never been asked and if we were, the answer would probably be no thanks. Why should I pay for something I don't want?????

Answer 9

That is a very good point, we all know that the BBC are profligate with our money. I mean, look at that huge website they maintain. What's THAT all about?

And I'd like to know how much of our money goes on subsidising the enormous amount of "gaelic" rubbish they transmit.

I also think that the BBC do us a dis-service because their programmes always show a disproportionately high level of " ethnic" people, much higher than is really the case in the uK.

Answer 10

Good question I would definitely vote NO! What they could do is people who want to watch BBC can subscribe to it through sky like we have to with movies and sport. Peace