BBC TV License. Is it worth £145.50

[judas]

I have been questioning this a lot over the past year.

One can purchase a lot for this sum.

I know that technically this fee covers all live tv (free view), but I am particularly concerned that it's bankrolling a BBC of dubious moral, ethical and journalistic standards.

I don't feel it covers news impartially.
I'm disgusted with its peadophile scandals.
I'm sick of turning it on to catch a news or current affairs programme and finding dross like The Travel Show being aired.
I'm also sick of its incessant efforts to squeeze the tax payers out of programmes like mastermind in favour of wall to wall celebrity exposure.

I'm thinking of putting the money to better and more ethical use.

Thoughts (please don't turn this into an independence debate)

[Beefster]

I think it's great value for money. Even more so when the licence fee would buy me two months of the 99% utter dross that make up Sky packages.

I don't get why folk revel in hating the BBC. Like any large organisation, it's not perfect but the UK would be poorer for not having the BBC IMHO. Everything it airs can't appeal to everyone either.

[Just Jimmy]

I think it's great value for money. Even more so when the licence fee would buy me two months of the 99% utter dross that make up Sky packages.

I don't get why folk revel in hating the BBC. Like any large organisation, it's not perfect but the UK would be poorer for not having the BBC IMHO. Everything it airs can't appeal to everyone either.

For me it's an issue of choice. I have sky. I choose to pay for that. Why should I pay for one product but because another product comes with it be forced to pay for that on top? Why can't people opt out of the license fee if they have subscription tv?

[Hibrandenburg]

The fee would easily cover an annual subscription for Netflix. I'm glad I don't contribute to its upkeep.

[Glory Lurker]

Definitely not worth it in my opinion, but what can you do - ridiculous that non-payment can lead to criminal sanctions.

The Beeb wastes so much money. What was the point of BBC3? Absolutely awful output that should never have seen the light of day, and should have been punted completely instead of put on internet. The number of folk they send to the likes of the World Cup and Glastonbury (I mean, pete's sake) is a nonsense.

Privatise it, and let it pay for its programming through advertising.

[Hibs Class]

Definitely worth it. I trust it more than any other news outlet. There is some questionable spending, e.g. Why do they pump so much money into English football in comparison to scottish football. But overall it is a fantastic broadcaster and the whinging of anti-BBC folks doesn't change that at all.

[CropleyWasGod]

Definitely not worth it in my opinion, but what can you do - ridiculous that non-payment can lead to criminal sanctions.

The Beeb wastes so much money. What was the point of BBC3? Absolutely awful output that should never have seen the light of day, and should have been punted completely instead of put on internet. The number of folk they send to the likes of the World Cup and Glastonbury (I mean, pete's sake) is a nonsense.

Privatise it, and let it pay for its programming through advertising.

Its lack of advertising is the BBC's single most important asset, IMO. It doesn't have to pander to advertisers, sponsors or ratings. In that way, it is better-placed to cater to a wider audience than any other UK broadcaster.

The alternative is not an attractive option.

[Northernhibee]

Let me predict this thread - a bunch of people freely discussing the quality of the output in documentaries, BBC4 output, radio and the same usual people saying "I don't like the BBC because the SNP/Wings tell me not to" hijacking the conversation. This board is getting really predictable and tiresome.

[CropleyWasGod]

Let me predict this thread - a bunch of people freely discussing the quality of the output in documentaries, BBC4 output, radio and the same usual people saying "I don't like the BBC because the SNP/Wings tell me not to" hijacking the conversation. This board is getting really predictable and tiresome.

Or there could also be those who, like me, love the diversity of the BBC.... but who also have issues with their political partiality at times.

:cb

[Holmesdale Hibs]

It probably is decent value but I don't think it's right that they can force people to pay it. If people only want ITV and Sky then they should have the option just to pay for those channels, it's a very strange set up and should be changed.

[easty]

How does the amount the BBC takes in licence fees compare to how much channel 4 takes in from advertising?

[steakbake]

I set up so as to not need to pay the license. I did so after many years of paying the license, always making sure I had one. Some stuff the BBC produces is good: their documentaries for example and BBC4 is high quality. The rest is can be poor stuff, feeding or creating media narratives. It comes across as very much a state broadcaster. I read that of a journalist staff of 300, there's not one investigative journo. On that point, C4 news are miles ahead and I can put up with the occasional ad break.

In these days of being able to stream free content fr the internet, my license fee went on a chrome cast and a couple of subscriptions to the likes of Netflix. Most of my news comes from a range of online newspapers, blogs and source press like Reuters etc. BBC news is not particularly analytical and there's plenty of rational criticism out there about their approach to important stories. Medialens is quite an interesting read. Where is the hard hitting questioning of politicians as Paxo used to be good at, for example? Evan Davies is good, but he shies away from a strong tackle too often.

The main issue would seem to be that the Corporation's charter is in the very same hands as the people they'd pull in to give an account of themselves.

I suppose it's up to the individual.

[Hiber-nation]

Let me predict this thread - a bunch of people freely discussing the quality of the output in documentaries, BBC4 output, radio and the same usual people saying "I don't like the BBC because the SNP/Wings tell me not to" hijacking the conversation. This board is getting really predictable and tiresome.

Hope you didn't put money on that.

The BBC is fantastic. Not perfect as others have said but hopefully Robbie Savage won't be there forever :wink:

[steakbake]

Hope you didn't put money on that.

The BBC is fantastic. Not perfect as others have said but hopefully Robbie Savage won't be there forever :wink:

A mate recently described Robbie Savage as looking like the front half of a centaur.

[CropleyWasGod]

How does the amount the BBC takes in licence fees compare to how much channel 4 takes in from advertising?

Not sure about the numbers, but the licence fee would be a lot higher were it not for the millions that the BBC earns from selling its programmes worldwide. That alone tells us something about the perceived quality of its output.

[Scouse Hibee]

Value for money? Seeing as I pay for subscription TV already I don't really feel the value in it at all. Catch me if you can TV licensing :greengrin

[easty]

Not sure about the numbers, but the licence fee would be a lot higher were it not for the millions that the BBC earns from selling its programmes worldwide. That alone tells us something about the perceived quality of its output.

It could still do that without having a licence fee though, no?

I can't really think of anything I watch on BBC regularly, apart from MOTD. I'll watch the Attenborough stuff. I used to watch Family Guy on BBC3 pretty much every night, but that's on ITV now, so I watch it there, with adverts. I'll occasionally watch Eggheads, used to watch Spooks. I can't think of any reason why they shouldn't just have advertising in place of a licence fee, then if the ads bother folk so much, just watch on the iPlayer later, and forward through them.

[snooky]

It could still do that without having a licence fee though, no?

I can't really think of anything I watch on BBC regularly, apart from MOTD. I'll watch the Attenborough stuff. I used to watch Family Guy on BBC3 pretty much every night, but that's on ITV now, so I watch it there, with adverts. I'll occasionally watch Eggheads, used to watch Spooks. I can't think of any reason why they shouldn't just have advertising in place of a licence fee, then if the ads bother folk so much, just watch on the iPlayer later, and forward through them.


These days the Beeb is for propaganda sponges & folk who enjoy watching Rear Enders or soap suds of similar ilk.
IMO, the wee white dot when you switch off is the best viewing on telly.

[RyeSloan]

It could still do that without having a licence fee though, no? I can't really think of anything I watch on BBC regularly, apart from MOTD. I'll watch the Attenborough stuff. I used to watch Family Guy on BBC3 pretty much every night, but that's on ITV now, so I watch it there, with adverts. I'll occasionally watch Eggheads, used to watch Spooks. I can't think of any reason why they shouldn't just have advertising in place of a licence fee, then if the ads bother folk so much, just watch on the iPlayer later, and forward through them.

With so many media channels these days my consumption of BBC output is pretty much down to listening to the radio in the car...Radio 2 and Radio 4.

It is a bit archaic how it is funded and I think the OP has a valid question. That said and even although I don't tend to watch much BBC output (although I do use their news app, more out of laziness in finding an alternative as I'm not overly impress by some of their reporting) it is a bit of a national institution and I kind of like the fact that it no longer makes that much sense for it to continue as it is.

[Mr Grieves]

Let me predict this thread - a bunch of people freely discussing the quality of the output in documentaries, BBC4 output, radio and the same usual people saying "I don't like the BBC because the SNP/Wings tell me not to" hijacking the conversation. This board is getting really predictable and tiresome.
Your post has been the only predictable and tiresome thing on this thread.

Anyway, I like the BBC. I listen to 6 music and 5 live pretty much everyday, use the news and sport apps everyday and occasionally watch some superb documentaries on BBC4. It's not perfect but it's far superior to any other broadcaster in the UK.

[Hiber-nation]

A mate recently described Robbie Savage as looking like the front half of a centaur.

:greengrin

[Geo_1875]

Nobody seems to have mentioned that this is a tax and doesn't go directly to the BBC.

My main beef with the BBC is the amount spent on unemployed celebrities and retired sportsmen to convince the public to donate to charities which should be funded directly from taxation.

Their nature and drama output is excellent.

[lord bunberry]

I watch bargain hunt every day, that's worth the license fee alone.

[#FromTheCapital]

I've work with a guy who refuses to pay the TV license and therefore doesn't have a TV. Strange guy to be honest, also has strong views that nobody should pay any tax whatsoever unless they choose to do so.

[Scouse Hibee]

I've work with a guy who refuses to pay the TV license and therefore doesn't have a TV. Strange guy to be honest, also has strong views that nobody should pay any tax whatsoever unless they choose to do so.

You don't have to have a tv to require a licence. Does he watch online etc?

[sleeping giant]

You don't have to have a tv to require a licence. Does he watch online etc?

I don't think you even need a TV licence at all as long as all your telly is through "catch up" TV or previous recordings.
I'm sure you can opt out now .

You don't need a TV licence now just for owning a TV .

I'll try to link but I'll struggle on my phone .

[sleeping giant]

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/Live-TV-and-how-you-watch-it

[McD]

I don't think you even need a TV licence at all as long as all your telly is through "catch up" TV or previous recordings.
I'm sure you can opt out now .

You don't need a TV licence now just for owning a TV .

I'll try to link but I'll struggle on my phone .


I think i saw a news article a week or 2 ago about how they are about to change the license laws to encompass catchup tv now.

the BBC spokesperson was gleefully stating that the license wasn't ever conceived to cover things like catch up tv or online viewing, was as if he felt people who were only viewing catch up were conning him out of money personally.

[Scouse Hibee]

I only ever buy black TV's so never pay for a colour licence.

[judas]

I only ever buy black TV's so never pay for a colour licence.

I have a black tv with white trims on it. Does this combination exempt me?

[Scouse Hibee]

I have a black tv with white trims on it. Does this combination exempt me?

Yes only black and white licence required.

[(((Fergus)))]

Hard to know whether it is value for money if there is no competition.

[Greencore]

http://youtu.be/qP0s1VNAMR0

[snooky]

I think i saw a news article a week or 2 ago about how they are about to change the license laws to encompass catchup tv now.

the BBC spokesperson was gleefully stating that the license wasn't ever conceived to cover things like catch up tv or online viewing, was as if he felt people who were only viewing catch up were conning him out of money personally.

Funny that. I feel exactly the same about the Beeb. :rolleyes:

[hibs0666]

I have been questioning this a lot over the past year.

One can purchase a lot for this sum.

I know that technically this fee covers all live tv (free view), but I am particularly concerned that it's bankrolling a BBC of dubious moral, ethical and journalistic standards.

I don't feel it covers news impartially.
I'm disgusted with its peadophile scandals.
I'm sick of turning it on to catch a news or current affairs programme and finding dross like The Travel Show being aired.
I'm also sick of its incessant efforts to squeeze the tax payers out of programmes like mastermind in favour of wall to wall celebrity exposure.

I'm thinking of putting the money to better and more ethical use.

Thoughts (please don't turn this into an independence debate)

If you want your TV output to like like ITV or Sky then you crack on.

[RyeSloan]

If you want your TV output to like like ITV or Sky then you crack on.

But is the BBC TV output really that different to that found across the 100's of other channels now available? There may be the odd exception but really their day to day programming looks pretty similar to other mainstream channels to me . Tonight on BBC1 for example we have:

The One Show
Eastenders
Room 101
Eastenders (again)
Crime watch
News
More crime watch
Question time (at nearly 11pm)

What is so unique amongst that lot that differentiates the BBC?

Looking at my Sky scheduler I don't think I have one series set to record that is on the BBC apart from 'interior design challenge' which is hardly going to justify their unique funding and anyway the Mrs gets the blame for that one, I'm far too busy watching The Walking Dead.

[Geo_1875]

But is the BBC TV output really that different to that found across the 100's of other channels now available? There may be the odd exception but really their day to day programming looks pretty similar to other mainstream channels to me . Tonight on BBC1 for example we have:

The One Show
Eastenders
Room 101
Eastenders (again)
Crime watch
News
More crime watch
Question time (at nearly 11pm)

What is so unique amongst that lot that differentiates the BBC?

Looking at my Sky scheduler I don't think I have one series set to record that is on the BBC apart from 'interior design challenge' which is hardly going to justify their unique funding and anyway the Mrs gets the blame for that one, I'm far too busy watching The Walking Dead.

it's the only broadcaster funded directly from tax.

[lapsedhibee]

I don't know how you'd estimate the 'value' of an advert-free BBC4. It's utterly braw. Particularly like how an hour-long documentary lasts for about an hour, as opposed to the roughly forty minutes it lasts on some other channels!

[hibs0666]

But is the BBC TV output really that different to that found across the 100's of other channels now available? There may be the odd exception but really their day to day programming looks pretty similar to other mainstream channels to me . Tonight on BBC1 for example we have:

The One Show
Eastenders
Room 101
Eastenders (again)
Crime watch
News
More crime watch
Question time (at nearly 11pm)

What is so unique amongst that lot that differentiates the BBC?

Looking at my Sky scheduler I don't think I have one series set to record that is on the BBC apart from 'interior design challenge' which is hardly going to justify their unique funding and anyway the Mrs gets the blame for that one, I'm far too busy watching The Walking Dead.

BBC output is much more than BBC1. However, to give you a flavour of what the punter like, the top 20 iplayer views in January were:


Sherlock The Abominable Bride (2,347,000 views)
War and Peace Episode (1,442,000)
EastEnders 01/01/16 Part 2 (1,358,000)
EastEnders 01/01/16 Part 1 (1,251,000)
EastEnders 07/01/2016 Part 2 (1,232,000)
The Voice UK Series 5 Episode 1 (1,148,000)
EastEnders 15/01/16 (1,098,000)
War and Peace Episode 2 (1,093,000)
EastEnders 12/01/16 (1,056,000)
Billionaire Boy 01/01/16 (1,039,000)
EastEnders 19/01/16 (1,019,000)
Silent Witness Series 19 Episode 1 Part 1 (1,016,000)
War and Peace Episode 3 (1,014,000)
EastEnders 22/01/16 (985,000)
EastEnders 07/01/2016 Part 1 (958,000)
Silent Witness Series 19 Episode 1 Part (2 954,000)
Silent Witness Series 19 Episode 2 Part 1 (948,000)
EastEnders 28/01/2016 Part 2 (943,000)
EastEnders 05/01/2016 (942,000)
EastEnders 06/01/2016 (938,000)

[RyeSloan]

BBC output is much more than BBC1. However, to give you a flavour of what the punter like, the top 20 iplayer views in January were: Sherlock The Abominable Bride (2,347,000 views) War and Peace Episode (1,442,000) EastEnders 01/01/16 Part 2 (1,358,000) EastEnders 01/01/16 Part 1 (1,251,000) EastEnders 07/01/2016 Part 2 (1,232,000) The Voice UK Series 5 Episode 1 (1,148,000) EastEnders 15/01/16 (1,098,000) War and Peace Episode 2 (1,093,000) EastEnders 12/01/16 (1,056,000) Billionaire Boy 01/01/16 (1,039,000) EastEnders 19/01/16 (1,019,000) Silent Witness Series 19 Episode 1 Part 1 (1,016,000) War and Peace Episode 3 (1,014,000) EastEnders 22/01/16 (985,000) EastEnders 07/01/2016 Part 1 (958,000) Silent Witness Series 19 Episode 1 Part (2 954,000) Silent Witness Series 19 Episode 2 Part 1 (948,000) EastEnders 28/01/2016 Part 2 (943,000) EastEnders 05/01/2016 (942,000) EastEnders 06/01/2016 (938,000)

Does that not just reinforce the point though? The most watched output is pretty much what you can find elsewhere.

As I said though I kind of like the fact it's a national institution and it's outlier status in how it is funded so it doesn't bother me much but I think it's valid for people to ask what its role is in the modern age of TV. Add in new streaming services and I can see why people are asking why there is a tax levied on pretty much every household to fund it...really when you stop and think you do have to wonder just what it's purpose and function now is and if it even knows that itself.

[hibsbollah]

Do I like all the bbcs output? Emphatically, no.
Do I like the idea of losing the BBC to commercial operators? Emphatically, no.

The Tories are dismantling the BBC by stealth at the moment under the guise of 'public consultation', led by a board stuffed full of individuals with a vested interest in a commercial monopoly being created.

If you want rid of the BBC, Vote Cameron.

[Hibernia&Alba]

The Beeb is a national treasure; we need public service broadcasting as an antidote to wall to wall commercialism, where advertisers dictate what should be shown: namely naff reality shows and soaps. The BBC has an educational function and can produce high quality programmes that mightn't be mainstream but have real value. £145.50 for three national TV stations, numerous national and regional radio stations and online services such as I-player seems great value actually.

Do not privatize the Beeb! :soapbox:

[Pretty Boy]

BBC4 and the 2 or 3 top quality documetaries the rest of the BBC churn out every year still makes the license fee worth it imo.

[ballengeich]

The focus in the thread has been on tv, but money going to BBC also supports their radio stations. I spend more time listening to these than I do watching tv. The standard of thought is generally higher and the 40p per day it costs me is better value than any alternative entertainment or printed information source.

[Hibernia&Alba]

The focus in the thread has been on tv, but money going to BBC also supports their radio stations. I spend more time listening to these than I do watching tv. The standard of thought is generally higher and the 40p per day it costs me is better value than any alternative entertainment or printed information source.

:agree:

For top quality broadcasting, Radio 4 is worth the fee alone, IMHO. Most folk only use a tiny fraction of the programming the BBC offers (myself included) and I think it's a bargain and a great institution we can be proud of, like the NHS. As you say, forty pence per day!

[hibsbollah]

The focus in the thread has been on tv, but money going to BBC also supports their radio stations. I spend more time listening to these than I do watching tv. The standard of thought is generally higher and the 40p per day it costs me is better value than any alternative entertainment or printed information source.

:agree:
Radio4 would be a massive loss, as would 6music
I listen to hours and hours of R4 podcasts through a month.

[judas]

If you want your TV output to like like ITV or Sky then you crack on.

Eh? Strange assumption to make.

I was thinking about buying a Private Eye membership £28 pa. I'm exploring what to do with the remaining £120.

[Bishop Hibee]

I regularly watch BBC News 24 and whatever sport they have on (which is getting less and less). Also BBC4 if there is anything decent on and Radio Scotland in the morning before work. I also visit the BBC website frequently.

When looked at in total, it probably is worth it for me although it is a lot of money for those struggling financially.

[Mr White]

:agree:
Radio4 would be a massive loss, as would 6music
I listen to hours and hours of R4 podcasts through a month.

Yup 6music is excellent.

[easty]

I regularly watch BBC News 24 and whatever sport they have on (which is getting less and less). Also BBC4 if there is anything decent on and Radio Scotland in the morning before work. I also visit the BBC website frequently.

When looked at in total, it probably is worth it for me although it is a lot of money for those struggling financially.

Do you think you'd stop watching/listening to them if they were no longer publicly funded and had adverts?

[Beefster]

Do you think you'd stop watching/listening to them if they were no longer publicly funded and had adverts?

Depends on whether you watch the niche stuff or only watch the mass market stuff like Strictly and Eastenders. A commercial BBC would have to channel its resources to catering for the biggest audience (or advertisers). There's a reason why the BBC is the only broadcaster who can run a channel like BBC4.

[GlesgaeHibby]

BBC4 and the 2 or 3 top quality documetaries the rest of the BBC churn out every year still makes the license fee worth it imo.

:agree:

Horizon
Attenborough Documentaries
BBC 4 Drama's (The Bridge, Trapped)
Shetland
The Fall

This alone, over the past year, make it worthwhile.

[easty]

Depends on whether you watch the niche stuff or only watch the mass market stuff like Strictly and Eastenders. A commercial BBC would have to channel its resources to catering for the biggest audience (or advertisers). There's a reason why the BBC is the only broadcaster who can run a channel like BBC4.

Doesn't it already do that?

[RyeSloan]

Doesn't it already do that?

It sure does...BBC 1 is by far the largest piece of the pie more than twice as much as the entire radio budget.

It seems to me that people like the BBC for the things it actually spends the least on...its radio stations and BBC 4. I'm not really sure it can really be argued that their is a need for a BBC1 with its largely mainstream stuff of soaps, game shows and news, certainly not one that swallows such a large portion of the budget. That's stuff can be found in many other places. On the other hand I can never envisage a commercial station that resembles radio 4 a service that costs a mere £116m a year to run, less than 1/10th of the cost of BBC1.

Figures a wee bit old but you get he idea ..

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/jul/12/bbc-spending

[Pete]

It's my go-to place for news on the TV and online. How much is that worth? I'm not sure.

[Hibrandenburg]

I must admit I do tune into BBC on FM here in Berlin when I'm in the car. Thanks for your licence money folks.