The Nasty Party (AKA the Tories), it's back!

[mudsticks]

It makes much more sense when you stop seeing what we have as a government.

Well they do keep reporting 'awkward truths'Why can't they just 'be nice' ...

 

[winjim]

Nadine Dorries has been made to look spectacularly stupid on C4 news recently, and she made a complete fool of herself in the commons committee over C4 funding. It's spite. She has a chance for vengeance and she's taking it.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I don't watch Channel 4 that much, but it's self-funding, it has no debt (apparently), and it was intended to widen the range of voices on the telly - which it has done quite well. It costs the tax payer nothing as far as I know. There's no reason to sell it other than ideology and to get hold of a few million quid. Utterly pointless.

 

[Beebo]

I don't watch Channel 4 that much, but it's self-funding, it has no debt (apparently),

The no debt is crucial.
The government seem to think C4 need to raise money. ie get into debt, in order to compete with the likes of Netflix etc. Which are all in huge debt.
C4’s charter states they have to commission programs from UK independents and this could be lost.
It makes no sense to me and I’m yet to hear from anyone outside of government who agrees.

 

[newfhouse]

Nadine Dorries has been made to look spectacularly stupid on C4 news recently, and she made a complete fool of herself in the commons committee over C4 funding. It's spite. She has a chance for vengeance and she's taking it.

View: https://twitter.com/soozuk/status/1511377005161426946?s=21&t=DbPDPPfBBdgkh3esiQE8FQ

 

[newfhouse]

Extraordinarily dark work from CWS this morning.

 

[AuroraSaab]

The no debt is crucial.
The government seem to think C4 need to raise money. ie get into debt, in order to compete with the likes of Netflix etc. Which are all in huge debt.
C4’s charter states they have to commission programs from UK independents and this could be lost.
It makes no sense to me and I’m yet to hear from anyone outside of government who agrees.

I don't think any UK based service is going to be able to compete with the likes of Netflix or Disney. The production values of stuff like The Crown would bankrupt the BBC or Channel 4. Better to stay as they are and be successful on a smaller scale.

 

[Deleted member 49]

I don't think any UK based service is going to be able to compete with the likes of Netflix or Disney. The production values of stuff like The Crown would bankrupt the BBC or Channel 4. Better to stay as they are and be successful on a smaller scale.

Netflix is sh1t anyway....I spend more time flicking through it than watching anything.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I think they have some good stuff. The way you can basically get 4 users on one account is great, though I understand they are putting an end to that. My main issue is that I find the content difficult to navigate and can't be bothered trawling through it all. There is simply no way the BBC or anyone else can afford to generate new content of the scale and standard of Netflix films and shows though, and they have the money to poach shows and talent from elsewhere too. The way people watch TV has changed and it doesn't favour the traditional model.

 

[BoldonLad]

I think they have some good stuff. The way you can basically get 4 users on one account is great, though I understand they are putting an end to that. My main issue is that I find the content difficult to navigate and can't be bothered trawling through it all. There is simply no way the BBC or anyone else can afford to generate new content of the scale and standard of Netflix films and shows though, and they have the money to poach shows and talent from elsewhere too. The way people watch TV has changed and it doesn't favour the traditional model.

The BBC Licence fee is approximately £13/month. Netflix subscription is, approximately £6/month. If we take at face value, your claim that Netflix content is "good", why can't BBC compete, with double the monthly charge?

Similarly, Amazon Prime at approximately, £8/month, not only offers incredible free delivery service, but, also, video streaming content and an large music library.

I am not saying that I approve of these services (Netflix and/or Amazon Prime), or, prefer them over BBC, but, on a purely cost to the consumer basis, the BBC does not look competitive IMHO.

 

[newfhouse]

why can't BBC compete…?
[snip]
on a purely cost to the consumer basis, the BBC does not look competitive IMHO.

I’m not sure these comments reflect the value or purpose of public service broadcasting. Nobody wants a library that only contains books from the twenty most popular authors.

 

[Beebo]

The BBC Licence fee is approximately £13/month. Netflix subscription is, approximately £6/month. If we take at face value, your claim that Netflix content is "good", why can't BBC compete, with double the monthly charge?

Similarly, Amazon Prime at approximately, £8/month, not only offers incredible free delivery service, but, also, video streaming content and an large music library.

I am not saying that I approve of these services (Netflix and/or Amazon Prime), or, prefer them over BBC, but, on a purely cost to the consumer basis, the BBC does not look competitive IMHO.

Do Netflix offer 7 National radio stations and numerous local stations.
Do they provide regional news, current affairs, religious and educational output. None of which are in anyway commercial but they are required to provide by their charter.
Most importantly is the BBC $20billion in debt? Netflix are operating at a huge loss.

 

[BoldonLad]

I’m not sure these comments reflect the value or purpose of public service broadcasting. Nobody wants a library that only contains books from the twenty most popular authors.

Well, I didn't think I mentioned books, and, I wasn't aware the BBC provided books, but.......

I did say, I was not necessarily a fan of Netflix and/or Prime......

And, my point was, given their higher monthly subscription fee (sorry, licence).. why can they not provide a better service than Netflix/Prime. It would, of course, be necessary to define "better service", but, it would appear, Thant given the popularity of Netflix/Prime 9and, no doubts others, of which I am unaware), than a significant proportion of the population value those providers over the BBC.

Finally, I am not "anti-BBC", but, that does not mean improvement (of BBC) is not possible. IMHO.

 

[AuroraSaab]

The BBC Licence fee is approximately £13/month. Netflix subscription is, approximately £6/month. If we take at face value, your claim that Netflix content is "good", why can't BBC compete, with double the monthly charge?

Similarly, Amazon Prime at approximately, £8/month, not only offers incredible free delivery service, but, also, video streaming content and an large music library.

I am not saying that I approve of these services (Netflix and/or Amazon Prime), or, prefer them over BBC, but, on a purely cost to the consumer basis, the BBC does not look competitive IMHO.

Netflix has a subscriber base of 220 million, and growing, though it will reach a ceiling at some point. There are only around 26 million UK TV licenses purchased each year. You can add to that advertising from satellite channels and income from selling shows obviously.

I think the BBC is excellent value when you take into account the radio stations and 24 hr news, but Netflix has to support none of that and can spend their money on what generates the most income. The BBC can't.

 

[BoldonLad]

Netflix has a subscriber base of 220 million, and growing, though it will reach a ceiling at some point. There are only around 26 million UK TV licenses purchased each year. You can add to that advertising from satellite channels and income from selling shows obviously.

I think the BBC is excellent value when you take into account the radio stations and 24 hr news, but Netflix has to support none of that and can spend their money on what generates the most income. The BBC can't.

Not sure I would use the word "excellent", but, I would agree of "good".

As I said elsewhere, my (perhaps, poorly made point) was, just because the BBC is good, doesn't mean it cannot be improved. To start, if it's programs are so good, what is to stop it selling content to Netflix/Prime/etc. It may already do so, for all I know, perhaps, they are under-charging? I don't think I am alone in thinking there are problems within BBC.