Comments on: A license to watch TV!? *gasp* http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp Views from across the Herring Pond Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:32:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jamie http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-10495 jamie Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:12:25 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-10495 Rob, BBC Iplayer is free, you dont need a license to watch it. Rob, BBC Iplayer is free, you dont need a license to watch it.

]]> By: jamie http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-10494 jamie Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:11:37 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-10494 "judging by the rubbish that is available on cable TV in Canada from the US." So if it's so "rubbish" then why do Brits watch it every night? “judging by the rubbish that is available on cable TV in Canada from the US.”

So if it’s so “rubbish” then why do Brits watch it every night?

]]> By: Sam http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-6608 Sam Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:31:36 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-6608 I disagree with Andy's comment about "watching TV without any breaks for adverts on the BBC", there is a break every 15 minutes for advertising which should pay for any and all broadcasting. I disagree with Andy’s comment about “watching TV without any breaks for adverts on the BBC”, there is a break every 15 minutes for advertising which should pay for any and all broadcasting.

]]> By: Rob Macintosh http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-4659 Rob Macintosh Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:00:43 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-4659 I'm incredibly proud of the quality of TV that the BBC produces, so quite happily pay my TV license fee every year. I get alot of use out of the BBC iPlayer, too. I’m incredibly proud of the quality of TV that the BBC produces, so quite happily pay my TV license fee every year. I get alot of use out of the BBC iPlayer, too.

]]> By: David http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-3867 David Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:04:49 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-3867 Wether you agree with the licensing system is a philosophical question - but in my mind, anything that stops Murdoch and Sky from having a monopoly (and also annoys him intensely) is a good thing in my book. Sky do harass me, they keep ringing me up and putting crap through my letter box. Two small points - the Beeb is NOT a government organisation. Its run by Charter with an independant board. You know this is the case because every govt that comes to power always complains they are being unfairly represented by the BBC and every Opposition party says the BBC are gving the govt an easy ride!!! The other point is that BBC Radio is paid for by the licence fee as well, and most of the Beebs radio output is surely reason alone to keep the licence fee. I haven't got any kids - but pay my taxes for schools because its the right thing to do and the law! Wether you agree with the licensing system is a philosophical question – but in my mind, anything that stops Murdoch and Sky from having a monopoly (and also annoys him intensely) is a good thing in my book. Sky do harass me, they keep ringing me up and putting crap through my letter box.

Two small points – the Beeb is NOT a government organisation. Its run by Charter with an independant board. You know this is the case because every govt that comes to power always complains they are being unfairly represented by the BBC and every Opposition party says the BBC are gving the govt an easy ride!!!

The other point is that BBC Radio is paid for by the licence fee as well, and most of the Beebs radio output is surely reason alone to keep the licence fee.

I haven’t got any kids – but pay my taxes for schools because its the right thing to do and the law!

]]> By: Matt http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-2763 Matt Thu, 27 May 2010 15:15:38 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-2763 The BBC is a unique and superb service. It is the most listened to broadcaster in the and british people should be, and most are proud of it. American tv is ruined by constant advertising and news that is horrendously bias. The tv licence stops this from happening, and ensures our tv is the best in the world. The BBC is a unique and superb service. It is the most listened to broadcaster in the and british people should be, and most are proud of it.

American tv is ruined by constant advertising and news that is horrendously bias.

The tv licence stops this from happening, and ensures our tv is the best in the world.

]]> By: Jennifer http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-2761 Jennifer Thu, 27 May 2010 12:11:34 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-2761 MS I agree with you on the fact that costs are factored in - of course, like any business, these companies have to maintain their broadcasting equipment as well as invest in channels and programmes. This is what the BBC originally did back when it was set up. But it no longer has the monopoly on the telecommunicationsand broadcasting industry and the key element today, in the other TV services, advertising or not, is Choice. if you do not wish to subscribe to Sky TV for example, they do not harass you, threaten you, fine you and throw you into prison. This is the difference and is why the BBC Licence is such a problem for people. MS I agree with you on the fact that costs are factored in – of course, like any business, these companies have to maintain their broadcasting equipment as well as invest in channels and programmes. This is what the BBC originally did back when it was set up. But it no longer has the monopoly on the telecommunicationsand broadcasting industry and the key element today, in the other TV services, advertising or not, is Choice. if you do not wish to subscribe to Sky TV for example, they do not harass you, threaten you, fine you and throw you into prison. This is the difference and is why the BBC Licence is such a problem for people.

]]> By: M S http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-2699 M S Wed, 19 May 2010 17:24:38 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-2699 If you live in France you will have to pay a licence fee for your TV also. It's included in your annual property tax. The store where you buy the TV notifies the authorities. The fee not only pays for TV but also national and local radio. The BBC has an excellent website also. Do you really think TV is free in the US ? The cost of the advertising is built into the price of everything you buy,so there is no choice there either whether or not you have a TV. Over 40 years ago Newton Minnow the chairman of the FCC said that American TV was a "wasteland". I don't think much has changed over the years,judging by the rubbish that is available on cable TV in Canada from the US. If you live in France you will have to pay a licence fee for your TV also. It’s included in your annual property tax. The store where you buy the TV notifies the authorities. The fee not only pays for TV but also national and local radio. The BBC has an excellent website also.

Do you really think TV is free in the US ? The cost of the advertising is built into the price of everything you buy,so there is no choice there either whether or not you have a TV. Over 40 years ago Newton Minnow the chairman of the FCC said that American TV was a “wasteland”. I don’t think much has changed over the years,judging by the rubbish that is available on cable TV in Canada from the US.

]]> By: Andy M http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-2691 Andy M Tue, 18 May 2010 14:10:27 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-2691 One point that has been missed is that the TV licence also means you can watch TV on the BBC without any breaks for adverts (commercials). Films, sporting events, dramas etc. are so much more enjoyable without the constant interruptions. It is interesting how most 1 hour American made programmes only last around 45-50 minutes on the BBC as you just get to watch the programme and nothing else! One point that has been missed is that the TV licence also means you can watch TV on the BBC without any breaks for adverts (commercials). Films, sporting events, dramas etc. are so much more enjoyable without the constant interruptions.

It is interesting how most 1 hour American made programmes only last around 45-50 minutes on the BBC as you just get to watch the programme and nothing else!

]]> By: Andy http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-2632 Andy Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:00:08 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-2632 I absolutely agree with your sentiments regarding the TV licence and its enforcement in the UK. In my view, in a modern democracy the state has no business in broadcasting. Does anybody think the BBC would exist if the internet had been created first? I resent being made to pay for something I do not want and do not use. And yes those letters from TV Licence Authority are downright threatening. Remember that those goons from TVL are not an "authority" as such, but a private company and have no more right to enter your home than I do. I absolutely agree with your sentiments regarding the TV licence and its enforcement in the UK.

In my view, in a modern democracy the state has no business in broadcasting. Does anybody think the BBC would exist if the internet had been created first? I resent being made to pay for something I do not want and do not use.

And yes those letters from TV Licence Authority are downright threatening. Remember that those goons from TVL are not an “authority” as such, but a private company and have no more right to enter your home than I do.

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