BBC bosses have been warned millions of people are refusing to pay the annual TV licence fee after backtracking on a deal to offer free access to the elderly.
The universal free TV licence for over-75s has ended - with the BBC confirming they will now means-test those in that age bracket to determine their entitlement.
The changes, which started on August 1, were previously delayed because of the pandemic.
And are being further delayed by the utter incompetence of the TV Licensing staff, because when my elderly mother finally got her letter - in October! - I offered to pay it for her, and went online to complete the registration.
Then over three weeks later got a letter, with a bank direct debit form to complete and send back, since they 'couldn't process it online'.
Duly sent back the same day, I'm still waiting for them to take the money...
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden last week claimed it is now time to "ask really profound questions" about public service broadcasting in the digital age. The BBC has long maintained it "continued to innovate, adapt and lead change,' but Mr Dowden suggested platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix had "lobbed a grenade into the system".
Pity it was only a metaphorical one.
In a statement, a BBC spokesman said: "The past few months have served as a powerful reminder of just how much the BBC matters locally, nationally and globally.
"Our programmes and services have never been more relevant, important or necessary."
If they were that, you'd have no problems competing on a level playing field, would you?
8 comments:
Why would a source of endless disinformation and propaganda be relevant?
When I only watch free to air channels on satellite, free internet TV services and Netflix can anyone please tell me exactly what I am paying the BBC for? If this is just a tax on TV sets it's about time the government came clean and said so.
Bastard Beeb Coppers can't wait for their ideal, risk-free mission. Batons smashing living room windows and frail pensioners held in strangleholds. "Where's yer f*ckin money, bitch?"
Who watches TV today? I gave up on TV years ago for the simple reason there was nothing worth watching and from what I have heard it has got worse over time. I would rather read a good book although they are getting harder to find today with the woke trash that is being turned out now.
It was the BBC which drove me not to have a television in my house.
But I do have a computer!
Why should you be forced to get rid of your TV just because you don't want to fund the BBC? The TV licence is an absurd anachronism which should have been scrapped decades ago. The technology is available for the BBC to be funded by the people who want to watch it, that is the only rational way to do it and would make perfect sense. We all know why they don't want this, they are nowhere near as brilliant as they claim to be and viewers would leave in droves.
I cancelled my TV licence a little over a year ago. Three months later there was a knock on the door and a little man (from Crapita, no doubt) had arrived "to confirm there was no TV on the premises). I'll give him his due, though, he did explain to me that he had no legal right of entry and that I was not obliged to grant him access, but if he couldn't complete the paperwork I might expect another visit.
I politely refused entry and explained that any future TV Licensing visits would be similarly treated - no point in being rude to him as he was polite and open and was just a guy scraping a living.
I don't have a TV but like selsey steve I do have a computer, and with subscriptions to Amazon Prime, and Britbox, and with the availability of catch-up from ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, I do not miss Comrade Beeb's agitprop in any way.
I am in my eighth decade so please don't let me hear the usual condescending guff about the technology being too much for those of my vintage. I understand IT- both hardware and software - better than many who are 50 years my junior.
"Why would a source of endless disinformation and propaganda be relevant?"
Because at the moment, it has a monopoly?
"If this is just a tax on TV sets it's about time the government came clean and said so."
It is indeed just that. But they'll never acknowledge it. Because it might remind people with iPads and Kindles that a TV isn't really even required any more.
" I gave up on TV years ago for the simple reason there was nothing worth watching ..."
The amount of BBC and ITV I watch has shrunk to about 10%...
"...no point in being rude to him as he was polite and open and was just a guy scraping a living."
I'm afraid I gave the TV Licensing email operative who asked me 'what the problem was' while responding to the lengthy detailed complaint form I filled in online very short shrift!
But getting on Twitter and moaning to them got it sorted - with apology - in a few hours.
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