The BBC has said it is facing “permanent and irreversible” trends that mean it cannot survive without a major overhaul, as it revealed a stark divergence between the number of people consuming its content and those paying the licence fee. In its opening response to government talks over its future, the corporation said 94% of people in the UK continued to use the BBC each month, but fewer than 80% of households contributed to the licence fee.
Farewell, then - you were once a beaon to the world, but like many a great British institution, you've outstayed your welcome, as Longrider points out.
It said the rise of streaming services and digital platforms such as YouTube had caused blurring and confusion around when the licence fee needed to be paid, suggesting there was “a mismatch” between TV licence rules – based on watching live TV – and the nation’s viewing habits.
Yes, there is - but mostly, it's because we resent having to pay for you when we want to watch another channel which we have chosen to pay for. If I choose to drive to work, the tube doesn't get to stick their hands in my pocket and rummage around for my spare change; if it wants my custom back, it better be prepared to up its game and earn back my custom.
The BBC is also proposing to host the content of ITV, Channel 4 and other public service broadcasters on iPlayer in an attempt to create a British-based platform that can compete with the likes of Netflix and YouTube.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, eh? Is this going to be instead of the licene fee, or on top of it?
What this is leading up to, of course, is a campaign by the Great And Good to put the "licence fee" onto general taxation so that everyone ends up paying it.
ReplyDeleteI fear you're correct!
DeleteI'm getting peed off with them talking about "Consuming" their content. As as I'm concerned, consuming is something I do when eating. I might (very occasionally) watch or listen to the Beeb, but I don't consume...
ReplyDeleteConsumption is something I always associate with TB
DeleteThe BBC will never give up its liciece fee, except for a tax added to your Income Tax (as we have in France).
ReplyDeleteWhen I was living there, it was on the Taxe Habitation and you had to declare where you watched television or not. It's obviously changed since then.
DeleteNot exactly true about the Tube - like all other forms of public transport, especially the railways, they only thrive on huge subsidies collected from all tax-payers, especially those who don't use public transport.
ReplyDeleteIf they had to stand on their own commercial feet, I'd be OK with that, but I resent subsidising transport services for others when I fund all my own, being heavily taxed while doing it.
I really recommend following the link to Longrider's post, his demolition of the entitled special pleading is on point.
ReplyDeleteStonyground.
Do you have pockets in your outfit?
ReplyDeleteRead recently that some bloke called Jermaine Jenas was axed from his £190,000 a year BBC job. What exactly, did he do to get paid that amount, and who was the moron who authorised that salary? If salaries like this, or much higher, are common, no wonder Al Beeb is short of money. Perhaps they could ask for a sub from the Muslim Brotherhood, or left wing organisations, as they seem to be continuously pushing their views.
ReplyDeletePenseivat
And the trannies!
Delete