TV Licence

[mrforgetful]

It's not like I have to pay the tax for Petrol and Diesel just to use the Diesel is it?

 

How do you figure?

 

I'm saying I pay the tax in my diesel but I don't have to pay for the tax that's in aswell (ie double) because I don't buy and use any petrol, only diesel.

 

Makes sense to me, crap anology thought I'll admitt.

 

How about this: I don't pay an extra 1p a litre to get rid of an existing toll road do I? I don't use that road so gladly I don't pay for it. The roads I do use are covered in my petrol tax and my road tax.

[enjay]

And Petrol Tax is a form of pay as you go taxation. It's not like I have to pay the tax for Petrol and Diesel just to use the Diesel is it?

Also, the amount of tax you pay on the fuel depends on how much you use. We don't all pay a standard £300 a year taxation in order to own a car!

 

I'm saying that a company can't break down what services you may listen or watch and charge you for those.

Rubbish! We pay Sky just £15 a month and we don't get some channels; if we wanted all the "standard" channels, we'd pay £25 or so, more if we wanted movies or sports. That is a beautiful example of what I'm suggesting - charge people for what they want without making me pay the huge prices paid for TV coverage of the next Chelsea game or whatever.

 

@NickJones - Does that replace the need to have to pay a 50% rediced License fee for blind people then?

So long as you ONLY receive sound. Quoting the TVL's web site:

"If you use a set-top box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.

 

Isn't the Queen exempt?

The Queen pays income tax but only her personal income (which isn't much), not that of the Monarch. I don't know if she has to buy a TV licence or not!

[localzuk]

There is absolutely no reason why BBC services should be flat taxed. Top-up TV allows you to choose which channels to pay for, as does sky and all cable companies. The BBC should do the same and charge accordingly.

[mrforgetful]

The funny thing is we're comparing it to Taxes, but it's not a tax!

 

It's meant to just be a fee for a service, like Gas or Electricity or a phone or the internet, but with all those things you can choose not to pay it and not have it.

 

Imagine it Wanadoo (or whatever it's called these days) started providing you with an Internet connection but you didn't want theirs you wanted to use BT.

 

You: I don't want your connection

Them: But we supply it

You: But I don't use it, I use BT

Them: That's fine, but you could be using it

You: But I'm not so can you stop chargin me and take it away

Them: No sorry, it's the law you have to pay us. Don't use it if you don't want, but we won't stop prioviding it and charging you.

You: But I don't like you connection it's only POP and not IMAP.

Them: Well keep your current connection aswell.

You: But I don't use yours only my other I don't want to pay for both

Them: It's the law, we provide you pay whether you use it or not.

[gwendes]

With analog technology it isn't possible to limit what services you are supplied with - everyone is provided with everything and the only way to make a charge for services that aren't paid for in any other way is to charge everyone. Why everyone has suddenly stopped watching BBC broadcasts is beyond me - maybe it's just to argue a point.

 

Technology in this field is in the middle of massive change and we should be in the position shortly where you can be provided with only the channels you want. I think that the World Service and local stations should have no problem being funded from the majority of people that will continue to watch BBC products.

[webman]

Why everyone has suddenly stopped watching BBC broadcasts is beyond me - maybe it's just to argue a point.

 

Maybe because there's nothing worth watching on the BBC any more?

[mrforgetful]

With analog technology it isn't possible to limit what services you are supplied with - everyone is provided with everything and the only way to make a charge for services that aren't paid for in any other way is to charge everyone. Why everyone has suddenly stopped watching BBC broadcasts is beyond me - maybe it's just to argue a point.

 

Technology in this field is in the middle of massive change and we should be in the position shortly where you can be provided with only the channels you want. I think that the World Service and local stations should have no problem being funded from the majority of people that will continue to watch BBC products.

 

I'm sure Sky and Cable managed to do this just fine over the past couple of decades.

 

The problem is even with the changes coming the BBC will not let go of the funding and are seeking to raise the fee!

[Pottsey]

“The only reason why I may keep my TV is to connect my Gamecube to it unless I can find a way to connect it to a PC monitor”

Its pretty easy you just need a £30ish box. But I forgot the name, have to check the catalogue tonight.

[gwendes]

I'm sure Sky and Cable managed to do this just fine over the past couple of decades.

 

By installing new cables under our roads and launching satelittes into orbit! If you asked the BBC to raise your fee to pay for this I'm sure they'd be happy to!

 

Are we at the stage where people that you would be happy to see the BBC shut down? I'm waiting to see what the next hit comedy is... AFAIC £135 a year is nothing to have no adverts - I hate adverts!

[mrforgetful]

If you hate adverts record it and fast forward them. Or go have a break. I hate it when the BBC puts on a 2 and a half hour film and I can't get some crisps, have a wee, make a coffee or whatever without missing some.

 

It's just over £10 a month, for which I could get 20Mb broadband instead of the 4Mb I have, but I can't afford that.

 

Or I could have got British Gas cover for my boiler so now I'd have warm running water, but I don't cos I can't afford it.

 

I resent been forced to pay for something I don't want. That's the point.

 

If you want it fine, you pay. If you like it great, if you think it's worth it that's fine, but not everyone does and forcing everyone to pay for something they might or might not want it just stupid.

 

Show me another country that does this.

[webman]

@mrforgetful: Your wanadoo internet analogy doesn't really work. I can use another ISP without paying wanadoo; but you can't legally watch other terrestrial TV channels without paying the BBC.

[mrforgetful]

But that's what I'm saying, what if it was like that for the Internet, or for the phone?

 

If there was a compulsory supplier for those there would be an outcry, just because it's always been like that for TV doesn't make it right.

[webman]

Ah OK I see what you mean now, you're right

[mrforgetful]

Like I keep telling my girlfriend, I'm always right

[webman]

Ah but does she believe you? If yes, what's your secret?

[mrforgetful]

hehe nah she never believes me.

[gwendes]

I suppose it would be difficult if I didn't have £10 a month available. I resent paying £90 a month in council tax and over £300 income tax where I don't make choices about where my money goes...to which £10 to the BBC I choose to have pales an insignificance...

 

Make £10 a month on eBay?

[localzuk]

Any talk of analogue is a moot point now as the digital changeover is occurring as we speak. Everyone will be receiving digital tv within the next handful of years.

 

The BBC should adapt with the modern world - choice is the key and the TV license doesn't allow for that choice.

[gwendes]

Any talk of analogue is a moot point now as the digital changeover is occurring as we speak. Everyone will be receiving digital tv within the next handful of years.

 

The BBC should adapt with the modern world - choice is the key and the TV license doesn't allow for that choice.

 

I can agree with that.

[enjay]

I suppose it would be difficult if I didn't have £10 a month available. I resent paying £90 a month in council tax and over £300 income tax where I don't make choices about where my money goes...to which £10 to the BBC I choose to have pales an insignificance...

Surely we have (slightly) more choice over the spending of our council and income taxes? We at least get to elect the people whose job it is to spend that, however we don't elect the Director General of the BBC nor do we get any say in what programs are and aren't made.

[Andrew_C]

Show me another country that does this.

Show me a country with programming that comes near the quality of the BBCs output. They don't have to bow to commercial pressures in the same way most producers do. Whether you like the content, the Beeb produces very high quality programming!

[enjay]

Whether you like the content, the Beeb produces very high quality programming!

Huh? Surely if I don't like the content, then I wouldn't agree that the Beeb produces high quality programming?!

[mrforgetful]

Show me another country that does this.

Show me a country with programming that comes near the quality of the BBCs output. They don't have to bow to commercial pressures in the same way most producers do. Whether you like the content, the Beeb produces very high quality programming!

 

It's about differing tastes no?

 

I'd much rather spend my tenner to watch Lost, 24 and The Simpsons than Strictly Come Dancing, Dr.Who and Eastenders.

 

My point is, I don't have a choice of paying for those but in doing so I have to miss out on the programs I want.

[AndyCope]

So why is it that all of the top class programmes made by the BBC are always made in co-operation with commercial broadcasters such as The Discovery Channel etc etc - look at the credits!

 

The BBC does go after commercial goals - ie viewers, if not we wouldnt have such rubbish as Dancing on Ice etc etc - commercial programme formats 'stolen' to try and get the viewing figures up to justify the licence fee...

 

This argument simply doesnt stack up.

[SpuffMonkey]

And Petrol Tax is a form of pay as you go taxation. It's not like I have to pay the tax for Petrol and Diesel just to use the Diesel is it?

 

No - but you pay your Road Tax whether or not you drive your car.