Psamathe
Guru
Those are not part of the License Fee. Anybody can listen to those without subscribing so I don't see that as relevant.
If relevant then maybe everybody using them should be paying not just a select group.
Let’s talk about BBC
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If relevant then maybe everybody using them should be paying not just a select group.
briantrumpet
Squire
But that's not really the point. It's simply a tax that is levied on those who choose to watch live TV in the UK in order to finance an important part of the UK broadcasting media. Once you choose to watch live TV, it's simply a tax levied, not a subscription to all or part of it.
Psamathe
Guru
I regard it as a subscription as payments go to a single broadcaster ie you are in effect paying just the BBC.
briantrumpet
Squire
Well, that's not how it works, clearly, even if that's how you conceptualise it. As I say, it's a tax that finds the national broadcaster. You can choose not to pay it by not watching live TV, as I do.
Psamathe
Guru
For me it was very very marginal last renewal. Were my renewal today I'd be stopping as I only really watch one live TV program and that's not BBC and I could happily do without that one.
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
How do you think they are funded?
briantrumpet
Squire
I might object to the enormous sums being spent on HS2, especially as I'm unlikely ever to use it, but that doesn't give me any right to not pay part of my tax bill. I have to accept that it is probably beneficial to the overall transport structure of the UK, and that's what some taxes are justifiably spent on.
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
Even if I didn't watch anything on the BBC, I still think it should be funded to benefit society.
Pross
Senior Member
As I said, think of it as a communication tax. The licence isn't to watch the BBC, it was originally to have the use of a radio. The money is just ring fenced to fund a state broadcaster
briantrumpet
Squire
Well there's your answer then. It's a tax you can actually choose not to pay, unlike most of them.
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
I think this is a better objection than the no kids and education argument. You received an education and you are now repaying your debt. That's off topic though.
briantrumpet
Squire
Yes, and obviously society needs educated children. Well, I hope it's obvious.
Psamathe
Guru
Re: Website and Radio
If website and radio need including then there needs to be some way for BBC to charge subscriptions as making consumers of one form of media pay for a different form on behalf of others seems beyond weird.
nb BBC websites do get a fair criticism due to the pressures they put on our mainstream press. In effect BBC are competing against other press media on unequal terms.
In what way is that relevant to paying for TV broadcasts? I was discussing TV broadcasts whereas radio and website are not part of the TV License Fee.
If website and radio need including then there needs to be some way for BBC to charge subscriptions as making consumers of one form of media pay for a different form on behalf of others seems beyond weird.
nb BBC websites do get a fair criticism due to the pressures they put on our mainstream press. In effect BBC are competing against other press media on unequal terms.
