Just got a letter from the TV License Gestapo inviting themselves to visit my flat, to check I really don't have a TV like I've been telling them the last 8 years. Suppose they actually turn up and I refuse to let them in, what can they do?
Nothing without a warrant. If you don't let them in, they can't come in. But if you've got nothing to hide, then you'd be as well to let them in and prove it....
It's not just TVs, but any device capable of receiving TV broadcasts like VCRs, DVD recorders, set-top boxes, PC tuner cards or even some mobile phones... you probably know that already but worth mentioning just in case...!
Seriously?! What a crock of shit! That's even worse than when I found out that council tax is measure by how big your house is!
I think TV licensing should be done through income tax. I'm a big fan of public service broadcasting. I think the current format of the BBC should be maintained. But TV licenses are just so fiddly, the gestapo element is highly intrusive, lots of people don't bother paying and fines are a pain in the arse. Much simpler just to run it through income tax. Pretty much everyone owns a TV these days, and for those who don't, well, no one's really going to think too much about another few pence on the higher tax brackets....
It does make more sense to fund the Beeb out of general taxation, though there would doubtless be an outcry from the totally impartial Murdoch papers. The savings from eliminating the TV licensing operation would be pretty substantial. I don't currently own any gizmo capable of receiving a TV signal, though I'm sure it will get harder and harder to buy a PC, phone, fridge or washing machine without a built-in TV card in the shiny future.
no it shouldn't be payed through income tax.... not everybody uses the services and therefore shouldn't be taxed for somebody elses viewing time.
Well not everyone claims benefits, goes to art galleries, takes higher education or uses a myriad of the things our taxation goes towards, so that's not really an argument against it especially when almost everyone benefits from it. I think the BBC is a good thing for our society to invest in and that funding it from income tax would be a fairer way of raising the money - the licence fee is a lot of money for someone on minimum wage but nothing for those who are better off. The only problem is that it would be hard to convince the government to keep raising the BBC's budget to keep it as consistently excellent as it always has been if it were just another part of income tax; it would be much easier for them to make funding cuts and channel the money into something else if the money is not specifically set aside for the Beeb. It would also be harder to ensure that the BBC is kept separate from government and totally independent from political influence...
Hehe anyone remember a few years ago when the TV License people were doing that billboard campaign saying about how many houses in a particular street didn't have a license? There was one in Brighton which said in stark black and white lettering something along the lines of: 12 HOMES IN PORTLAND ROAD BN3 DO NOT HAVE A TV LICENSE someone had scrawled underneath it in black spray can MAYBE THEY DON'T HAVE A TV well, at least I thought it was funny anyway...
The Tv Licence debate I suggest anyone with a low income should go with Cash easy entry scheme. I am on the same system. Anyway we need a Tv licence to fund the programmes on the BBC. Without that income, then we won't be getting some really interesting programmes. BBC stands out from the rest of the hoopla, in that it has no annoying advertisements and 100% great programmes. I suppose if British people can take any tax up the rear then so can you
That's a good point, although one advantage would be that the government would save millions through not having to enforce the license fee....
The tv licence is fine. Nothing wrong with it. With over 8 channels from the BBC, I think it is excellent value for money.
the BBC IS LIVING IN A BYGONE AGE OUT OF DATE AND OUT OF TIME . WHY SHOULD WE FUND SUCH DRIVEL. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE 21ST CENTURY WATCHING THE BBC YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW IT. PERIOD DRAMS IS ALL THEY CAN UP WITH OR SPORT. TIME TO PUT IT TO BED ONCE AND FOR ALL. AND SAVE IT SQUANDERING ANY MORE OF OUR HARD EARNED CASH. ON UTTER TRASH MASQUERADING AS ENTERTAINMENT.
I like lots of programmes the BBC put out. They're have some great comedy series for one. Were you not a fan of the Office or Extras? Also, Little Britain's pretty good, though not everyone's cup of tea. Red Dwarf too was pure class. The BBC's first for me in terms of comedy. Their flagship Soap, Eastenders is still one of the most watched programmes in Britain, and their news reporting is top quality - my second favourite probably after Channel 4. Newsnight, the Daily Politics, lots of top quality factual shows. And plenty of lighter entertainment such as Top Gear and Weakest Link (ahem probably the best show in the universe, cough, cough)....
The Tv licence will always be in place. Whilst the public accept any tax shoved up the rear, the BBC will simply get richer and richer until one day, every channel will be run by the BBC. You could ditch your tv of course and get Dip Dab radio.
Given audience fragmentation and the explosion of commercial channels, I find that highly unlikely....
BBC is probably the best broadcasting channel in the world. American News does not amount to shit compared with BBC News.
Sky are already quaking in their boots because of Virgin media. Itv are in trouble or being investigated on their quiz channels. It seems the BBC are the only ones who continue to do things without anyone actually questioning them. I think in the 22nd century, the BBC will be bigger than Jesus.
