Comments on: A license to watch TV!? *gasp* http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp Views from across the Herring Pond Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:46:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 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.

]]> By: Anon http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-1992 Anon Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:27:13 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-1992 We have a tv we cannot even watch because the signal is so bad (and we don't even get digital due to our location) and we're still required to pay TV license even though we can barely switch it on! This is theft, plain and simple. What next? A license to own a table so table manufacturers can stay in business? Utter toss. We have a tv we cannot even watch because the signal is so bad (and we don’t even get digital due to our location) and we’re still required to pay TV license even though we can barely switch it on!

This is theft, plain and simple. What next? A license to own a table so table manufacturers can stay in business?
Utter toss.

]]> By: Mr Truth http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-1639 Mr Truth Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:11:21 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-1639 Welcome to the beginning of Facisim which the goverment puts their reputation higher then what's best for you or anybody 'lower' then them. You might as well fight it out and risk Jail/Prison for your moral rights as a human being as you will die some how any ways so you might as well die for what is right and what is right is no goverment interfertion with the media. Your choice. ;) Welcome to the beginning of Facisim which the goverment puts their reputation higher then what’s best for you or anybody ‘lower’ then them.

You might as well fight it out and risk Jail/Prison for your moral rights as a human being as you will die some how any ways so you might as well die for what is right and what is right is no goverment interfertion with the media.

Your choice. ;)

]]> By: Joe http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-811 Joe Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:38:18 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-811 Have you seen the quality TV that is produced in the US, we get the "best" of it shipped over Stargate, Simpson 21/5 men. The TV licensing also insures our TV programs are of a usually higher quality, the BBC service, including the radio and web is paid for through that. It keeps the independent companies at the top of their game as the British public expect decent TV, if only they made more Scifi though. Have you seen the quality TV that is produced in the US, we get the “best” of it shipped over Stargate, Simpson 21/5 men. The TV licensing also insures our TV programs are of a usually higher quality, the BBC service, including the radio and web is paid for through that. It keeps the independent companies at the top of their game as the British public expect decent TV, if only they made more Scifi though.

]]> By: TV Licensing Again | An American in Britain http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-20 TV Licensing Again | An American in Britain Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:29:46 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-20 [...] is a follow up to a previous post about the peculiarly British phenomenon known as TV licensing.  Several readers were decent enough point out answers to questions raised in that post, for which [...] [...] is a follow up to a previous post about the peculiarly British phenomenon known as TV licensing.  Several readers were decent enough point out answers to questions raised in that post, for which [...]

]]> By: Yank http://americaninbritain.com/a-license-to-watch-tv-gasp#comment-19 Yank Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:48:51 +0000 http://americaninbritain.com/?p=253#comment-19 Thanks for the comment. You may not be under legal obligation to inform TVL, however TVL request you do (from the "official" TV Licensing web site): "<em>What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence? You do not need a TV Licence if you only use your TV to watch videos and DVDs or as a monitor for your games console. However, please notify us in writing that this is the case. One of our Enforcement Officers may visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence. Please write to us including your name, address and the reason you believe that you don't need a licence at:</em> " Thanks for the comment.

You may not be under legal obligation to inform TVL, however TVL request you do (from the “official” TV Licensing web site):

“What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence?

You do not need a TV Licence if you only use your TV to watch videos and DVDs or as a monitor for your games console.

However, please notify us in writing that this is the case. One of our Enforcement Officers may visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence.

Please write to us including your name, address and the reason you believe that you don’t need a licence at: “

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