TV licence fee

[OLD BOY]

This is Andrew Neil’s take on what should happen to the licence fee.

The idea has merit, but it’s not my preferred option.

https://www.mediamole.co.uk/entertai...ee_479539.html

[Sephiroth]

OB omitted the article quote:

Veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil has suggested that the BBC should adopt a two-tier funding system as a replacement for the licence fee.
The government has confirmed that it is looking at the future of the licence fee beyond the expiration of the current Royal charter at the end of 2027 - and current culture secretary Nadine Dorries has suggested that she is minded to scrap it.

Talking to The Times, Neil argued that the licence fee - currently £159 a year - should be switched for a model of guaranteed funding plus a subscription service.

He proposed that the public funding element - likely a much smaller licence fee - would produce content that the "market doesn't do", including arts, current affairs and news, while the subscription element would be for shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Line of Duty and EastEnders.

"The licence fee is... an asset because it's guaranteed money but it comes with a price," he said. "Market economics are finally hitting the BBC. The situation is systematic."

A BBC spokesperson said: "We look forward to the national debate on the next charter and, of course, all options should be considered. The BBC is owned by the public and their voice must be heard when determining the BBC's future."

The BBC raised around £3.75 billion from the licence fee in 2020-21.

[OLD BOY]

It wasn’t a premium site, Seph!

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

It wasn’t a premium site, Seph!

I just thought I'd be helpful, OB! Save a few clicks for everyone, sort of thing.

Btw, the neckless hunchback should offer more than one model for people to consider.

[OLD BOY]

Just to be helpful, the other one is a subscription model together with a free channel of programmes, funded by the government, which fall under the heading ‘public service broadcasting’, defined as news, religious programmes and minority interests.

There is no need for anything else.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Just to be helpful, the other one is a subscription model together with a free channel of programmes, funded by the government, which fall under the heading ‘public service broadcasting’, defined as news, religious programmes and minority interests.

There is no need for anything else.

I suggest not religious programmes. That will open a can of worms to the hundreds of sects who will demand uudience and try to back that up in Court.

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I suggest not religious programmes. That will open a can of worms to the hundreds of sects who will demand uudience and try to back that up in Court.

Religious programming is already mandated by the existing charter and the BBC carries it off without any serious complaint.

It’s probably easiest to observe if you listen to R2 or R4 in the morning and note the balance of religious viewpoints covered in their pause for thought slot. Most of the time it’s presented by a Christian, but Muslims, Jews and others get a look in. It seems to be broadly in proportion to the representation of those faiths in the country.

But "they" have a mission…

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Chris

Religious programming is already mandated by the existing charter and the BBC carries it off without any serious complaint.

It’s probably easiest to observe if you listen to R2 or R4 in the morning and note the balance of religious viewpoints covered in their pause for thought slot. Most of the time it’s presented by a Christian, but Muslims, Jews and others get a look in. It seems to be broadly in proportion to the representation of those faiths in the country.

Yes, I suppose you're right.

[1andrew1]

A reminder of the kind of thing the BBC provides that the streamers don't.

The BBC Has Revived An Old-School Radio Service To Help Ukraine As TV And Internet Is Attacked By Russia

The BBC has turned to an increasingly obsolete form of radio broadcasting to help people in Ukraine keep up-to-date with news as Russia bombs TV towers and attacks internet services.

The corporation said on Wednesday that the two new shortwave radio frequencies – 5735 kHz and 5875 kHz – will broadcast World Service news in English for four hours a day. These frequencies can be received clearly in Kyiv and parts of Russia, the BBC said.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...ukhpmg00000008

[RichardCoulter]

You'd think the news would be read in Ukranian. Perhaps a lot of people there speak English??

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

A reminder of the kind of thing the BBC provides that the streamers don't.


https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...ukhpmg00000008

Yes, that kind of activity should be funded by the government.

[Halcyon]

Should have been scrapped years ago.
In my opinion it is a service that should be paid for by the government.

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Should have been scrapped years ago.
In my opinion it is a service that should be paid for by the government.

No! Best out of the hands of the government(Tory or Labour) and not run by the media in general. it should be a PBS that's completely free from political interference by government and what passes for a free press owned and run by whomever has the cash to but them outright.I pay the subscription expecting to get a completely independent service especially the news service.

[Sephiroth]

GB News seems to be impartial with good coverage.