I've seen this mentioned several times now and I don't understand. Why do you have to have a"license"" for TV?! Is this the same thing as Americans paying for cable or satellite TV or is it just a fee for watching television, period? Do you get any channels for free like we get on just regular TV, without cable channels?? I keep hearing about these fines if you get caught and I think this sux! Who profits off this and has it always been in effect?
Thanks!
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
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RedGlitter
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What's this UK Televison License Bit??
To be very approximate, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) takes a $260 mandatory fee every year, directly, from every household which has the means to receive, view or store terrestrial, satellite or cable TV broadcasts, regardless of whether the household watches any BBC channel. That forms the bulk of their income. A ballpark figure for that licence fee income is between $4 and $6 billion a year. The existence of the BBC does improve the mental health of the nation so it's well worth the cost.
The complete funding for the BBC is curiously achieved. They're banned from advertising or product placement, they run 7 national 24-hour TV channels that I can think of, at least 7 national and 30 regional radio channels that never close, they're quite big. They also sell programs to foreign stations and permission to broadcast their back-catalogue.
There is a $2,000 fine for possessing a TV set, a video or DVD recorder, a set-top box, a computer or a mobile phone to watch or record programmes as they're being broadcast if you don't have a current valid licence to do so.
It started out in 1904 as a licence to receive radio, before television was invented. Blind people get a 50% discount, and if a household contains a person over 75 years old the licence is free.
The complete funding for the BBC is curiously achieved. They're banned from advertising or product placement, they run 7 national 24-hour TV channels that I can think of, at least 7 national and 30 regional radio channels that never close, they're quite big. They also sell programs to foreign stations and permission to broadcast their back-catalogue.
There is a $2,000 fine for possessing a TV set, a video or DVD recorder, a set-top box, a computer or a mobile phone to watch or record programmes as they're being broadcast if you don't have a current valid licence to do so.
It started out in 1904 as a licence to receive radio, before television was invented. Blind people get a 50% discount, and if a household contains a person over 75 years old the licence is free.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
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RedGlitter
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What's this UK Televison License Bit??
Thanks, Spot.
That seems kind of steep to me, $260 annually. Is it?
Do most people feel this is a fair and benefical practice or do they balk at it? I know I wouldn't like it, but if I had always had to pay for it, maybe I would think differently. Thank you for the info.
That seems kind of steep to me, $260 annually. Is it?
Do most people feel this is a fair and benefical practice or do they balk at it? I know I wouldn't like it, but if I had always had to pay for it, maybe I would think differently. Thank you for the info.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
Its just a bill Red like electric or phone, you dont tend to think much about it, just pay it. As Spot said the existence of the BBC improves the mental health of the nation (stop us being bombarded with lots of crap)
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
RedGlitter;653614 wrote: Thanks, Spot.
That seems kind of steep to me, $260 annually. Is it?
Do most people feel this is a fair and benefical practice or do they balk at it? I know I wouldn't like it, but if I had always had to pay for it, maybe I would think differently. Thank you for the info.
That's not easy to answer. From memory the number of people who should have a licence and don't is just under 5%.
The last major debate on the future of the television licence and its acceptability to the public was in January, that's the best summary I can find. I'm not sure how to boil it down but it's well argued.
That seems kind of steep to me, $260 annually. Is it?
Do most people feel this is a fair and benefical practice or do they balk at it? I know I wouldn't like it, but if I had always had to pay for it, maybe I would think differently. Thank you for the info.
That's not easy to answer. From memory the number of people who should have a licence and don't is just under 5%.
The last major debate on the future of the television licence and its acceptability to the public was in January, that's the best summary I can find. I'm not sure how to boil it down but it's well argued.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
I have a word of advice for British people, never, never let them take away the BBC or turn into another god-awful commerical network, its a little oasis of goodness in a bad world. I don't like everything about the Beeb, but it is a great institution, and long may it continue, hear hear! :-6
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
You're the man, Galbally. It needs to be said often and loud.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
There's quite a powerful lobby would like to see the BBC done away with. You've seen the effect giving Rupert Murdoch control of satellite broadcasting has had on the quality and cost of satellite TV. Think goodness he didn't get hold of any more terrestrial digital distribution. Mind you a think satellite and digital areboth a rip off. i object to paying for channels as a package rather than the ones I actually watch-although if you phone up to unsubscribe they cut the costs, funny that.
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RedGlitter
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What's this UK Televison License Bit??
You guys are making me really curious about the BBC and why it's so good.
What kind of stuff do you get on it?
What kind of stuff do you get on it?
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
RedGlitter;653862 wrote: You guys are making me really curious about the BBC and why it's so good.
What kind of stuff do you get on it?
It also has one of the biggest websites in the world Red.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/channels/
What kind of stuff do you get on it?
It also has one of the biggest websites in the world Red.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/channels/
My dog's a cross between a Shihtzu and a Bulldog... It's a Bullsh!t..
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RedGlitter
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- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
The schedule does look pretty good.
You guys get Shaun the Sheep. He's cute.
Notice that's what I noticed. :wah:
You guys get Shaun the Sheep. He's cute.
Notice that's what I noticed. :wah:
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
Red Glitter , the TV licence fee is to pay for the BBC television corporation. Its not that they show any better television than other channels, however the BBC doesn't show advertisements therefore we the viewer must buy a tv licence to finance the programmes where as ITV, Channel 4 ect.. broadcast comercials between programmes and charge the advertiser for this service.
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RedGlitter
- Posts: 15777
- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
maccat;653908 wrote: Red Glitter , the TV licence fee is to pay for the BBC television corporation. Its not that they show any better television than other channels, however the BBC doesn't show advertisements therefore we the viewer must buy a tv licence to finance the programmes where as ITV, Channel 4 ect.. broadcast comercials between programmes and charge the advertiser for this service.
Oh okay....that's a lot clearer now. That makes some sense then.
Oh okay....that's a lot clearer now. That makes some sense then.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
RedGlitter;653919 wrote: Oh okay....that's a lot clearer now. That makes some sense then.
Shows the cultural gap. Never occurred to me you wouldn't know the bbc had no adverts. It also means they can take more chances with drama and comedy rather than have to worry about audiences liking something from the get go. Many of the cult programmes so popular now would never have been put on if success was based on initial audience figures alone. Monty python for instance took some time before it caught on.
News programming has also to be objective and present both sides of an argument. Hence the dislike politicians have for it. Tory and labour have both accused it of being left wing bias or being unpatriotic for not just touting the govt viewpoint. Any media that govt doesn't like is fine by me. I suspect one of the reason TV news coverage in the UK is reasonably good is for the simple reason that the contrast would be blatantly obvious.
Shows the cultural gap. Never occurred to me you wouldn't know the bbc had no adverts. It also means they can take more chances with drama and comedy rather than have to worry about audiences liking something from the get go. Many of the cult programmes so popular now would never have been put on if success was based on initial audience figures alone. Monty python for instance took some time before it caught on.
News programming has also to be objective and present both sides of an argument. Hence the dislike politicians have for it. Tory and labour have both accused it of being left wing bias or being unpatriotic for not just touting the govt viewpoint. Any media that govt doesn't like is fine by me. I suspect one of the reason TV news coverage in the UK is reasonably good is for the simple reason that the contrast would be blatantly obvious.
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SlipStream
- Posts: 17508
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:46 am
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
repeats mostly :wah:
no but the BBC should take adverts like ITV.
no but the BBC should take adverts like ITV.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
SlipStream;654351 wrote: repeats mostly :wah:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ ... 022963.ece
The proportion of repeats on BBC One was down from 8.9 per cent to 8.4 per cent, but the report added that the BBC Trust would “continue to review policy in this area.
That doesn't seem to reasonably represent "mostly". Had you something particular in mind?
If you feel the licence fee costs more than the freedom from advertising warrants, that's a different matter. There are several points of view in this thread on that subject.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ ... 022963.ece
The proportion of repeats on BBC One was down from 8.9 per cent to 8.4 per cent, but the report added that the BBC Trust would “continue to review policy in this area.
That doesn't seem to reasonably represent "mostly". Had you something particular in mind?
If you feel the licence fee costs more than the freedom from advertising warrants, that's a different matter. There are several points of view in this thread on that subject.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
What's this UK Televison License Bit??
SlipStream;654351 wrote: repeats mostly :wah:
no but the BBC should take adverts like ITV.
No! NO! NO! NO!
If certain persons get their way our TV will end up being the vacuous rubbish you get on Sky. You can just about count on one hand the number of decent programmes you can get. Who the H*)( wants five minutes of programme and ten of adverts. I do actually have digital TV and watch some of the programmes. Personally i would rather pay per channel than have to buy blocks of channels most of which I don't watch. Think of the BBC as pay to view without the crappy adverts all the time.
no but the BBC should take adverts like ITV.
No! NO! NO! NO!
If certain persons get their way our TV will end up being the vacuous rubbish you get on Sky. You can just about count on one hand the number of decent programmes you can get. Who the H*)( wants five minutes of programme and ten of adverts. I do actually have digital TV and watch some of the programmes. Personally i would rather pay per channel than have to buy blocks of channels most of which I don't watch. Think of the BBC as pay to view without the crappy adverts all the time.