Let’s talk about BBC

[AndyRM]

I’m not sure another series of Like me of Duty is a good thing. It started out as really good TV that got gradually more ridiculous until the ‘final’ series which was ludicrous. I gave up on the second series of Rogue Heroes too having been looking forward to it.

I’m probably not a good TV critic these days though as there is hardly anything on any channel that engages me enough to invest time watching.

Agreed about there not being a need for another series. It all tied up pretty neatly in the end.

ITV are currently advertising their latest series of Trigger Point, which I've never watched but basically looks like a clone of Line of Duty. Even as a long-time fan of Vicky McClure it really doesn't appeal.

 

[icowden]

Yes, I am paying for my TV license. Why wouldn't I be?

You didn't seem to understand how the BBC is funded. It gets £3.8 billion from the license fee. It also raises around £2.4 billion from overseas sales. £6.2bn is about half the funding of Amazon Prime Video.

The BBC can still afford to make good programmes. It also partners with other studios such as Netflix.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I only watch a couple of shows on TV, normally starting after 8.00 (not counting sport like Rugby, cycling or athletics) but sometimes I really long for the days when we had little choice other than BBC or ITV.

I sometimes search around I-player or other catch-up channels and just think ‘what the hell am I doing wasting my time just looking for something to make me sit in front of the screen again’. TV, including the subscription channels, can be good but I don’t want to get to the stage that it’s just something I must have on for company, or a constant search for entertainment.

 

[Ian H]

We have a TV licence, but no subscription channels. I don't watch TV, but E does. Mostly I prefer reading in silence.

 

[briantrumpet]

We have a TV licence, but no subscription channels. I don't watch TV, but E does. Mostly I prefer reading in silence.

From the observational/cultural/anthropological POV, I think it's fascinating how a box that transmits sound and pictures, with no opportunity for response, plays such a central part in most homes for large chunks of the day. Having got used to not having one, a few years go, when I was kindly invited to some friends' house for Christmas lunch, after lunch, on went the TV/video, conversation ended, and we were expected to sit in silence watching some so-so film (can't even remember what it was). I'm afraid I didn't last long, which was probably poor form, but I wanted to scream.

 

[Ian H]

From the observational/cultural/anthropological POV, I think it's fascinating how a box that transmits sound and pictures, with no opportunity for response, plays such a central part in most homes for large chunks of the day. Having got used to not having one, a few years go, when I was kindly invited to some friends' house for Christmas lunch, after lunch, on went the TV/video, conversation ended, and we were expected to sit in silence watching some so-so film (can't even remember what it was). I'm afraid I didn't last long, which was probably poor form, but I wanted to scream.

Which is why I'd hate to live in a house with one open 'living space'.

 

[icowden]

From the observational/cultural/anthropological POV, I think it's fascinating how a box that transmits sound and pictures, with no opportunity for response, plays such a central part in most homes for large chunks of the day. Having got used to not having one, a few years go, when I was kindly invited to some friends' house for Christmas lunch, after lunch, on went the TV/video, conversation ended, and we were expected to sit in silence watching some so-so film (can't even remember what it was). I'm afraid I didn't last long, which was probably poor form, but I wanted to scream.

That's just odd unless they invited you round to watch a film. Our TV isn't on that much. Sometimes the kids watch it but mostly they watch what they want to watch on their phones or tablets. My wife often goes up to bed and watches TV on a tablet (we don't have a TV in the bedroom). When the living room TV breaks I'd like to replace it with one that can be a digital picture frame when it isn't being used.

I tend to watch TV when ironing or doing Lego. Sometimes I use it for gaming from the Playstation. I couldn't sit around *just* watching TV though. Well not anymore. I don't know whether that is the influence of age or marriage (or both!)

 

[AuroraSaab]

You didn't seem to understand how the BBC is funded. It gets £3.8 billion from the license fee. It also raises around £2.4 billion from overseas sales. £6.2bn is about half the funding of Amazon Prime Video.

The BBC can still afford to make good programmes. It also partners with other studios such as Netflix.

I understand how the BBC is funded, thanks.

 

[First Aspect]

I am always intrigued how people who don't watch TV or much TV talk about that as a virtue.

Nathanial sits on a spike and I sit on Nathaniel, and all that.

Oh, you won't get the reference if you dont have TV.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I love films and TV but it's true people can be very snobby about telly watching. There's more channels to fill now so there's bound to be more lightweight stuff like cheap reality tv alongside outstanding shows like The Sopranos. You can't beat a really gripping tv show.

 

[First Aspect]

I love films and TV but it's true people can be very snobby about telly watching. There's more channels to fill now so there's bound to be more lightweight stuff like cheap reality tv alongside outstanding shows like The Sopranos. You can't beat a really gripping tv show.

Honestly, there is more good TV now than there ever has been. TV is attracting top acting tallent and top writers, and bigger budgets. In many ways a decent high budget TV show now is better than a movie, because it's not restricted to 2 1/2 hours of character development.

In our house we occasionally do an 80s movie night. Recently it was the breakfast club. Great fun, but nothing much happens in that movie. This week it was Saturday Night Fever. Great fun, but nothing much happens. One of my fave films of all time is American Graffiti. Great film, but nothing much happens.

See what I mean?

 

[Pblakeney]

Honestly, there is more good TV now than there ever has been. TV is attracting top acting tallent and top writers, and bigger budgets. In many ways a decent high budget TV show now is better than a movie, because it's not restricted to 2 1/2 hours of character development.

In our house we occasionally do an 80s movie night. Recently it was the breakfast club. Great fun, but nothing much happens in that movie. This week it was Saturday Night Fever. Great fun, but nothing much happens. One of my fave films of all time is American Graffiti. Great film, but nothing much happens.

See what I mean?

I recommend that you do not try Risky Business unless you are doing a study into films that have aged very badly.

 

[briantrumpet]

Why the privileged treatment, I wonder? What might Reform voters have against the BBC, and why do Reform voters' views trump the views of everyone else?

(Figures from 2023)

 

[Beebo]

Why the privileged treatment, I wonder? What might Reform voters have against the BBC, and why do Reform voters' views trump the views of everyone else?

View attachment 11245

(Figures from 2023)

View attachment 11246

Why is the Mirror getting such bad reviews?
Piers Morgan left 20 years ago.

 

[Ian H]

Why is the Mirror getting such bad reviews?
Piers Morgan left 20 years ago.

Where's the Sun? (yes it does, doesn't it).