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Do you think the TV license should be scrapped?

Should the TV license be scrapped?

  • Total voters
    43
Matt N

Matt N

TS Member
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Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Hi guys. Over the last week or so, the topic of the BBC has made headlines across the country, as Boris Johnson has hinted towards scrapping the TV license in favour of making the BBC a subscription-based service. Many have reacted to this news with great backlash, however, so my question to you today is; do you think the TV license should be scrapped?

As for my opinion, I'm a little undecided. Part of me would be in support of the TV license being scrapped, because I think that a subscription-based service would let people opt into the BBC products they want to use instead of having to pay for everything whether you utilise these BBC products or not. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have to pay the TV license regardless of whether you watch BBC channels or not, currently. I must say, my personal use of the BBC is quite limited these days; most of the things I watch are on platforms like YouTube, with the occasional use of Netflix, and I tend to get my news from a variety of different sources. For this reason, I would personally be in support of a subscription-based service as opposed to paying for things you don't use. However, the general backlash to the news convinces me that the TV license going would be far worse than I'm making it out to be, so I'm undecided. To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure what the difference would be, as isn't the TV license basically a subscription anyway?

But what are your thoughts?
 
I support the TV Licence because
1. It means the BBC don't need to show Adverts
2. It means that they can make better quality programming, CITV currently import most of their output from the states whereas CBBC and CBEEBIES make half of their programming themselves with the other half being made by UK companies such as Aardman and Ragdoll who also make very good quality content.
Edit: 3. Who else could get Sir Elton John to tell a bedtime story?
 
I do not support the TV licence because I don't pay it.

I switch between Amazon, Netflix and NowTv. Plus occasionally the free streaming from 4od.

If I could pick BBC up for a month and binge some of their back catalogue I would. But I've got to take it for the entire year which is pointless when I'm not watching anything 11 months out of the year.

BBC has excellent content, and do excel in some areas. Just right now it's not accessible to me.
 
It will be a very sad day for this country if we lose the BBC in it's current form.

It's an amazing British institution that does much more than produce TV content.

Our music and arts culture, comedy, current affairs reporting, news are all underpinned by the BBC.
 
Yes and No.

I wouldn't mind paying a subscription for the BBC if it was the same price or less as the cost of the TV licence. Paying for the TV licence is in essence paying a subscription. Personally I can't see the difference.

As far as I'm concern, don't fix what ain't broke.

I do believe that the TV licence should be free for all OAP's with the options for anyone who is well off in retirement that they can make a voluntary optional payment/donation towards the TV licence.

By the way, I voted No in the above poll
 
There's not much that I watch on the BBC and most of the decent shows end up on Netflix eventually anyway (Doctor Who, Sherlock, Luther, Line of Duty...)

Football coverage is alright I guess.

But yeah I'd scrap it in an instant.
 
RoyJess said:
I wouldn't mind paying a subscription for the BBC if it was the same price or less as the cost of the TV licence. Paying for the TV licence is in essence paying a subscription. Personally I can't see the difference.

As far as I'm concern, don't fix what ain't broke.
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The difference is the ability to pick it up for a month and then drop it in an instant. Being able to pick and choose where you get your TV from on the day.

Either way the BBC has to stop the downturn in licence payers. Whether a new model or something to entice people back.
 
I personally feel that if it goes down the subscription way, it will be far more expensive that just paying for a TV licence, even if you do pick it up for a month and then drop it again.
 
If the TV license is scrapped, does that mean that it will be free to watch live TV regardless of channel? From what I understood, paying for a license didn't just mean you could watch BBC, rather it also granted permission to watch TV live rather than on catch-up. Even for the likes of ITV etc.
 
RoyJess said:
I personally feel that if it goes down the subscription way, it will be far more expensive that just paying for a TV licence, even if you do pick it up for a month and then drop it again.
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Well it has to remain competitive with Netflix's (full HD) plan at £108 a year.

Or Amazon at £95 (which includes delivery, music, TV and other benefits).
 
I am not convinced that a subscription / commercial model is the best solution.

I'd sooner be in favour of a tax for all to replace the licence to ensure BBC are not affected by the commercial environment.

The BBC provide a public service and as such should be funded as a public service.
 
Lurker said:
Except you don't.

You only need a licence if you watch live TV or use iPlayer.
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but if you have a tv that is capable to pic up tv stations ....

only way out is no TV, no smart phone no radio no nothing

edit:
ahh i see the radio thing was changed in 1971, no longer need a licence to listen to radio :rolleyes:
note to self, get with the times
 
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