I've heard that, in the United Kingdom, people have to have a license from the government to own a TV or a radio.Is that true? How long has that been the rule in your country? What do they do if you don't have a license and try to watch TV? How do they stop you from watching TV without a license?
That's a crazy system - here in the USA, we don't have to pay a fee to the government to own a TV or a radio!
2007-02-02 16:06:59 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
it's all true and believe me they know if you've not got one, it's all about paying for the BBC. The BBC doesn't advertise like all other channels do, so it makes no money so we have to pay to keep them going. mad innit.
oh by the way they cost £135.00 per year or there abouts
2007-02-02 16:11:57 · answer #1 · answered by poodle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fee goes to fund the British Broadcasting Company, which is run by the government. It's somewhat equivalent to our PBS: there are no advertisements.
Because of the way it operates, a TV or radio gives off tiny radio signals of its own (look up the operation of a superheterodyne receiver and its oscillator) and these can be detected by sensitive equipment. The British government, in its wisdom, spends a good deal of time and effort to ferret out receivers that are operating without licenses.
I don't know if they're still as strict as they once were. The system in the US is arguably better: while the BBC has glorious programming, and is well funded by the license fees, in the main I believe that we're served quite well by our own barbaric system.
2007-02-02 16:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by 2n2222 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm from the states, but here's what I know:
There is a license fee yes, but its not what you think of in terms of a license. The purpose is to provide commercial-free, HIGH quality television/radio programming. This fee is not required, and you can buy a TV or radio without having this license- but, ethically, they are supposed to pay this fee and most do. The government can give fines and light punishments if someone is caught using tv or radio without paying the fee, but I believe that is rare (but not sure on that specifically).
And yea, we don't have to pay a fee like that, But I gladly would. Our programming is controlled by commercials and products, whether you believe that or not. Besides the fact that programming is flooded with commercials every 10 minutes, even the programming itself is subject to programs with the sole purpose of benefiting commercial companies and products, NOT the average American citizen. This is why the BBC, and several others are so well respected, for their quality, real, content made FOR the people, not for commercial gain.
USA has PBS, and PBR, but thats about it, and they are not nearly as good as the BBC...
2007-02-02 16:19:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I never heard of that before, but I bet it's pretty easy to get a license if it's true.
2007-02-02 16:09:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
if this is true i will never ever live in england! i have an aunt who is a nun in england and she is allowed to visit every four years for three weeks at a time. she brings back a box full of marshmallow fluff....they don't allow that in england! insane, huh? i don't know about tv but no fluff? no way!
2007-02-02 16:10:45 · answer #5 · answered by jess l 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes.
2007-02-02 16:09:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so.....But I did hear that you have to in some European country,but Im not exactly sure which one.
2007-02-02 16:10:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Haha...not as far as I know, but I don't live there.
2007-02-02 16:10:28 · answer #8 · answered by ღღღ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋