Are you happy to pay for a tv licence?

[fataddick]

Not everyone can afford to entertain themselves in Brighton every single night. Be a bit of a **** trying to watch all the World Cup games in Brazil without one wouldn't it! Note to poster. Remove head from own arse!

Board games (once you've bought them) cost nothing. Reading library books costs nothing. Making friends on the internet costs nothing. Most entertainment is free and a hundred times more enervating that watching a black box full of idiots. If you really want to watch the World Cup on TV (being a genuine football fan I have no interest in it myself) there's a giant screen on the beach showing all the games for free. No need to buy a TV of your own at all.

 

[seagull_in_malaysia]

By the dictionary's definition, yes it is. But when most people talk adverts they mean commercials, as in those annoying 4-5 minute breaks in programmes trying to sell us car insurance. This is why I like the BBC (TV and radio) and am more than happy to pay the licence fee: a bargain.

Yes I agree, it's nice not having ads mid-programme. The worst has got to be film4 though; how can you have adverts mid-way through a film!

 

[Tubby-McFat-Fuc]

Ignore him. Tubby is a wind-up merchant, and is completely FULL of it.

He's posted massive threads on here before viciously slating BOTH Poyet and Garcia, but when asked who he wanted to manage the Albion couldn't come up with an answer.

No I slated them. Not viciously, I just slated them. Poyet I thought was limited as a manager, and lets be honest if Sunderland didn't have a decent 5 match spell at the end of the season, he'd have run away from that as well. He already laid the foundations to walk out before that. I Think my views on Garica in particular was proven justified. Boring man, with no idea of any other formation than one, who run away back to Isreal when the going got tough. Good ridence. Thy are welcome to him. When asked who I would have, didn't answer you at the time, because who ever I said I would have got slated from one side or another. All I'll say is all I want from a manager, is a man who will access his squad, and pick the best formation to suit those players, not stick with the same formation game in game out no matter how many injuries we have, and no matter if it works or not.

Basically I want a manager who will manage the team. I hope and pray Sami is that man. If I had a choice, I'd have picked Eddie Howe, but that was never going to happen.

If Sami plays an entertaining style of football I'll be behind him all day long, even if we end up mid table.

If his idea of a successful game is 75% possession, one shot on target and a 0-0 draw, I'll slate him as well!! But if that is the case third time around, I'll probably have to join a queue!

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

The wife has just said, in response to something on the Marr programme, "no one wants to pay their tv licence". To which I replied I was so long as the BBC remained advert free and independent. I do suspect I am in a minority now - and that minority is shrinking - but I don't believe for a minute that no one wants to pay it and I believe it represents far better value than my Sky package.

something about nail on head, with a hitting in there as well.

 

[drew]

I selected Pointless precisely because it is cheap to make. I think the BBC could make less programs and save some money, but I wouldn't suggest they cut a popular program that is so cheap to make.

What? You didn't ask me what I think the BBC do best, so I'm not sure why you're being like that.You're right, apologies, I was of course referring to the other quote however, would still like to know what you believe they do best and what they do poorly?

I agree that they have to cater for all tastes, and particularly minority tastes that aren't so well covered by other channels.

I guess the pint is though, you chose to have that and know what you are getting. It's a choice. With the TV license you have no power over it and have to pay it (I will leave the legal area well alone as I know way too little about it)

If I have a complaint about my sky I can call then and cancel, or, get a refund/month free. If I have a complaint about BBC i wouldn't imagine getting my TV license back

If you complain to the BBC, it will be investigated to see if it is justified but then, you are right, you won't get a refund, only an apology.

I will be amazed if there is a TV Licence after 2016

I think you should prepare to be amazed then!

 

[Triggaaar]

would still like to know what you believe they do best and what they do poorly?

I don't think the answer is a simple one that joe blogs (that's me) could come up with off the top of their head. Some people don't think we should have a TV license at all, some here think we should pay more, some think it's just right as it is. I'm just saying that personally, I think they do offer something unique and it would be bad to lose that - yet at the same time, I don't think all of their offerings are unique and worthwhile. TV is different than it used to be. If you want to watch sport, movies, series from the US etc, you have to pay for another service or four, and £12 a month (or whatever it is) for the BBC is quite a bit more to pay (of course you get a lot for the £12, because every household is paying it).

 

[perseus]

Good value for families. Not so good for single people.

 

[lizard]

I'd rather not be forced to pay it but have the choice to sign up as a subscription. If they need to supplement their income with adverts that's fine with me as often the adverts are better than the drossy dramas and pointless/mind numbing game shows they supply half the time.
Must admit I have watched the world cup on BBC but turn it straight back off when that smug crisp noshing bell-end comes on.
I can't see it changing in the near future but feel hard done by paying for something that I hardly ever use every month. If it went to a subscription service and the whole of the BBC was taken away from me I guess then would be the test as to whether there would be enough that I missed about it to choose to pay to get it back, but with the exception of the occasional sporting event, highly doubt that would be the case.

 

[Hamilton]

Have you watched American TV? Yes.

 

[Mental Lental]

Have you watched American TV? Yes.

Japanese TV is worse. It's not all girls in bikinis on rodeo riders chucking custard pies at each other, despite what the internet would have you believe.

 

[Hastings woody]

Radio Sussex on a Sat afternoon is worth the fee for me alone.

 

[pastafarian]

cant help but think that the people who have said they dont own a TV because what is on TV is a load of crap are basically fracking morons.

There is a load of dross on TV i grant you,but this is far far far far outweighed by the raft of amazing FACTUAL programming that is available for all ages.Many of these programmes are incredibly educational. The BBC excel at these programmes especially in the natural history department.
The BBC news used to be somewhat biased with UK issues and perceived to be a little left leaning but they have improved on this, but when it comes to an international crisis my first port of call everytime is the BBC,there simply isnt a news organisation out there that can rival the BBC for impartiality on world news stories.

I hope the licence fee continues,it really is a small price to pay for quality programming......simply look at the other channels and ask yourself if that is what you want?

For the people that dont bother with TV etc and dont buy a licence i think you are really missing out.

As for the twits like footsoldier who like to reap the benefits of television in all its forms like all licence payers yet refuse to buy a licence because they are tight fisted and basically dont like paying for stuff

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Think the licence is great value...should be increased for better programmes....(says he who gets it free)...

Grabs tin hat and ducks below firing line.

 

[Nibble]

The first part of your response is simply not true.

You have to have a licence "..if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast.", NOT if you own a device that is capable of receiving a signal as it is broadcast. It is analagous to a fishing licence - you have to have a licence if you fish, not if you own a fishing rod; unlike a gun licence where you have to have a licence to own a gun.

I do agree that the debate is shifting though as tech has developed.

I think he's right. If you own a device capable of receiving real time broadcast I'm pretty sure you are required to have a TV license.

Anyway, I'm happy to do so. BBC is the best broadcaster on the planet and unfathomable value for money. I also like the romance of the world service, the idea of being on any hell hole on earth and at the turn of a dial you can hear news from all over the world. Plus, I love the shipping forecast for some reason, shame they are considering scrapping this.

 

[Goldstone1976]

I think he's right. If you own a device capable of receiving real time broadcast I'm pretty sure you are required to have a TV license.

Nope.

"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast." http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

 

[kevo]

What gets me is the argument used by some people who object to paying it who say 'they never watch BBC channels'. Can anyone hand on heart really say over the course of an entire year they have never watched a single programme on any of the BBC TV channels, never listened to a BBC national or local radio station, or looked at the website for news or sport? It's nonsense.

 

[Nibble]

Nope.

"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast." http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

Yeah just saw that when I read more of the thread. I stand corrected.

 

[Nibble]

edited

 

[Tubby-McFat-Fuc]

What gets me is the argument used by some people who object to paying it who say 'they never watch BBC channels'. Can anyone hand on heart really say over the course of an entire year they have never watched a single programme on any of the BBC TV channels, never listened to a BBC national or local radio station, or looked at the website for news or sport? It's nonsense.

I can honestly say hand on heart, that I have never watched BBC programme as is it being broadcast. Shows I am interested in, "Wonders of *****" anything Attenborough a lot of the comedy, Top Gear specials I own on disc.

Yes, I have listened to local radio in the car on the way to the Amex. You do not need a license for this. Yes, I have watched QI and Top Gear on iplayer. You do not need a license for this.

SO in one way I support the BBC by purchasing the programmes on Blu Ray, that I choose to watch. Of the back of that if they provide other services for free, iplayer and local radio between 2-2.20 and 4.55 - 6pm on a Saturday afternoon, then I will use it.

 

[Tubby-McFat-Fuc]

Oh right, so you blatantly rip a company off on purpose, ignore their requests for the money you DO owe them and still feel you have the right to take the moral high ground. I see.

Theres the key word. Company! They are a business. I choose not to pay for it. If they still provide the service that's up to them. I can honestly say in the past year, I have never watched Sky Sports on my TV. Because I choose not to pay for that either. If Sky broadcast Sky Sports for free, I'd probably tune in now and again.

Before you ask, I watch the England games down the pub. I do not need to pay the BBC for that, anymore than I will when the next game is on ITV. I also have very little interest in any of the other games, and if I do will catch up later in the evening on iplayer.

Nibble, you choose to watch the BBC and are happy to pay for it. Fair play to you. If you are happy with it, and happy to pay for it, why shouldn't you, its a free country.

I on the other hand choose not to watch the BBC, so will not pay for it, other that numerous purchases of blu rays for things that interest me, after seeing them on iplayer.

I don't see how you can have a problem with that.

The fishing rod license, and gun license are two great examples.

Another one is, I own a car, so therefore pay road tax. If everyone who owns a TV has to pay towards the BBC and you are happy for them to do that, surely everyone who uses the roads, should also pay a tax to use them, even if not directly, or if you use them through another service other than your car?