Licensing for UK Television - Page 2 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

modge · #1 01-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy

I hear your concern, but it doesn't seem to be a problem in practice. They are frequently very critical of their own government. Between the BBC news, the commercial networks, satellite, and the papers, not much is kept secret. If anything, the BBC news is far more objective and substantive than the infotainment that passes for TV news here in the US. The UK's newspapers tend to me more like the US news channels though.

I don't know the details of how the funding works, but if anything like you suggest was happening, it would be BIG news, and the BBC would be murdered by the other news outlets. The US isn't the only country with free speech!

The BBC is not critical of the government is cant be. This is not a political rant but the TRUTH. Margaret Thatcher made it illegal to broadcast what any politician had said on the broadcasting network in the past. Why, because her government at the time were lying about what certain politicians had said, also some of them were denying what they had said until it was broadcast and they were then in the mire. So much for freedom of speech.
It would probably be the same everywhere but here there is the official secrets act which the BBC, ITV has to follow. I know of certain (and many other local people do) things that went on here that wasn't broadcast because of the government's intervention e.g. the miners strike.
Like I said earlier the BBCs days are numbered.

marty59 · #2 01-11-2009, 02:57 PM

Here's something else about to happen in the UK if you plan on buying that large screen plazma..
http://www.independent.co.uk/environ...n-1299665.html

I don't wish to rant and risk this being pulled, but it's important to share.

Sandy G · #3 01-10-2009, 03:19 PM

But you gotta know that somewhere, some pointy-nosed, 1973-style glasses wearing policy wonk who works for the Ways & Means committee & still lives, at 43, w/his parents, is reading this & thinkin'-"Those Limeys, Hmmmmmmm.... ! Thatsa GOOD IDEA...", as he wipes his running nose on his shirtsleeve, & takes another swig of Diet Mountain Dew...and scribbles "Licenses for TVs & radios" on his yellow legal pad...

merrylander · #4 01-10-2009, 03:42 PM

Let's see in Canada there used to be a license fee but it was dropped. That said the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has better news (read fairer and balanced) than Rupert Murdoch's Fox network. There was an Ombudsman show when I lived there and the guy who ran it regularly pissed off the government and they could not touch him. Everyone here thinks government cannot do anything right and private corporations are perfect. Welcome to the recession brought to you by private investment bankers.

Radfordman · #5 01-10-2009, 04:34 PM

I'm an expert on this matter, well I should be as I have received many threatening and bullying letters from the company that harrases innocent people for the bbc (note usage of small letters) I no respect for the bbc or their enforcement company.

They assume that everyone has and uses a TV therefore owes them money for a license. This is an incorrect assumption.

I do not have a TV or other TV receiving equipment at the address that receives this assault. I have told the company so many times. In fact the address in question is not occupied at present and I don't want to tell them that as I trust them not at all.

Here is one letter from them, quite mild, but others have been much worse. An older person may be really worried about receiving such threats. If I find one of the more threatening letters, may post it later. Even if I don't, one can be sure that more will follow.

modge · #6 01-10-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radfordman

I'm an expert on this matter, well I should be as I have received many threatening and bullying letters from the company that harrases innocent people for the bbc (note usage of small letters) I no respect for the bbc or their enforcement company.

They assume that everyone has and uses a TV therefore owes them money for a license. This is an incorrect assumption.

I do not have a TV or other TV receiving equipment at the address that receives this assault. I have told the company so many times. In fact the address in question is not occupied at present and I don't want to tell them that as I trust them not at all.

Here is one letter from them, quite mild, but others have been much worse. An older person may be really worried about receiving such threats. If I find one of the more threatening letters, may post it later. Even if I don't, one can be sure that more will follow.

Iv several letters like that. At first I rang them up and said I haven't got a telly. It never stopped them, so then I rang up and told them stick your letters up your ASS. Funny thing Iv never had any phone calls or letters since.

Radfordman · #7 01-10-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modge

Iv several letters like that. At first I rang them up and said I haven't got a telly. It never stopped them, so then I rang up and told them stick your letters up your ASS. Funny thing Iv never had any phone calls or letters since.

Well Done!

Correction, Very well done!!!

roundscreen · #8 01-10-2009, 05:10 PM

Do the TV collectors in the uk have to pay 20 dollars per month for each set they own? If there collections are as large as the ones we have here, That could run into a lot of money.

Fitzy · #9 01-10-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundscreen

Do the TV collectors in the uk have to pay 20 dollars per month for each set they own? If there collections are as large as the ones we have here, That could run into a lot of money.

No just one license per address covering all TV receivers. The fee only goes to the BBC all other stations are self funding through advertising etc. The enforcement inspectors have right of entry and are a bunch of Nazis!!

Radfordman · #10 01-10-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundscreen

Do the TV collectors in the uk have to pay 20 dollars per month for each set they own? If there collections are as large as the ones we have here, That could run into a lot of money.

Not quite sure what the question is (my age you know

), but in the UK only one license is needed for each private residence, one can have as many TV's as one likes at that residence and only one license is needed.

If a house was converted into two apartments two different owners, a licence would be needed in both apartments if they had TV's.

One good thing, very old people get a license free, my mother does.

Sandy G · #11 01-10-2009, 05:11 PM

Yeah, but, Modge, I'm sure your name is on a list of "Dangerous Subversives" somewhere...Of course, w/over 100 guns & a fully automatic weapon licensed to me, I'm sure I'm on a list or 3 as well...Ask me if I care...If I DID care, would I be blabbing about it here, on a public online forum ?

roundscreen · #12 01-10-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Yeah, but, Modge, I'm sure your name is on a list of "Dangerous Subversives" somewhere...Of course, w/over 100 guns & a fully automatic weapon licensed to me, I'm sure I'm on a list or 3 as well...Ask me if I care...If I DID care, would I be blabbing about it here, on a public online forum ?

modge · #13 01-10-2009, 05:25 PM

I'm a law abiding bloke, I was brought up that way, but as I get older I see things that are just making people so angry about stupid things that you can,cannot and should do that you need to drew a line some were.If the BBC are so concerned about people not paying there licence, why don't they spend a few more of the millions that they have on catching illegal broadcasting. Anyway from what I listened to on my tuner a few years ago the BBC are finished. Its going to be franchised my an American company. Its sighed and sealed. So be bit.

Radfordman · #14 01-10-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modge

I'm a law abiding bloke, I was brought up that way, but as I get older I see things that are just making people so angry about stupid things that you can,cannot and should do that you need to drew a line some were.If the BBC are so concerned about people not paying there licence, why don't they spend a few more of the millions that they have on catching illegal broadcasting. Anyway from what I listened to on my tuner a few years ago the BBC are finished. Its going to be franchised my an American company. Its sighed and sealed. So be bit.

Agreed

ceebee23 · #15 01-10-2009, 07:47 PM

The BBC rates its head off in the UK... which is why the private media snipe and demand that it be limited to protect "competition".

Governments of both flavours in the UK would dearly love to end the licence fee system which gives the BBC a degree of independence.

Here in Australia the ABC (modelled on the BBC) used to receive a licence fee but in the 70s that was abandoned and now is just given a budget by the government like any other government department.

Over the past decade the ABC has been deliberately starved of funds to punish it for being seen too critical of the government and also to prevent is competing with the private media.

Neither the US model and the British model are perfect but looking at the product of the two systems ..I think i will take the Brit model.