TV licensing...

[Lance Dopestrong]

No TV licence here, I don't use any services that require it so do not pay for one. The pub is only 100 metres away and the landlord is a good chum so he'll flick the telly onto any channel if I ask him nicely.

Neither does my Dad.

Neither does my neighbour.

Aside from when I declined to not renew my licence in the early 90's none of us have ever had any kind of letter from Capita or a visit.

I have no great issue with the BBC per se, but I do object in principle to their funding model so I'm quite happy not to put my money where the BBC's mouth is.

[jb]

Its probably been said before but it's important to have a broadcaster that is independent of viewing figures and market forces. Even if you never use the BBC directly the only reason there is not 20 minute commercial breaks on the other channels is they have to compete with channels that have non - try watching telly abroad. Also sneaking in is the pretend program that's really just and advert for some product or other within the content - bit like some cycle mags.
That said the BBC should dump all the populist stuff and concentrate on high quality output that doesn't necessarily appeal to the masses.

[in4time]

As a general point I think the BBC is struggling to define itself within a rapidly changing media world.
I really enjoy R3. R4 is less investigative and rigorous than it used to be; the Today programme is emasculated. I object to the BBC having and pushing a social engineering agenda. What is their obsession with ‘cheeky chappies’ everywhere.
I do however really like the Americast podcast and Miss Information is brilliant and thankfully Any Questions/Answers remains way better than that circus Question Time.
Pulpit moment over. Time to ride my bike out lol

[thirdcrank]

The free-to-air BBC has loads of ads - for the BBC or rather "Our BBC"

[Lance Dopestrong]

That said the BBC should dump all the populist stuff and concentrate on high quality output that doesn't necessarily appeal to the masses.

They're losing licence payers at a rate of 300,000 a year, so they're clearly struggling to appeal to the masses any more.

[Mick F]

They'll be losing many more TVL payers now!

Who is this "high profile BBC presenter" who has been suspended?
I'm very very glad that we (in this household) don't pay for these people.

This is just another nail in the BBC coffin methinks.

[Jdsk]

...
Who is this "high profile BBC presenter" who has been suspended?
I'm very very glad that we (in this household) don't pay for these people.
...

Who are "these people"?

No-one has been named. No-one has been found to have done anything wrong.

Jonathan

[al_yrpal]

The annual Wimbledoom bat and ball wipeout of favourite programmes isnt helping the BBCs cause, as is the 10 minute news item about some unknown presenter. I think its time they smelt the coffee.

Al

[Mick F]

Absolutely Al.

Employees at the BBC don't deserve the TVL taxation service.
Make it subscription or commercial, or do away with it.

[Jdsk]

...
The annual Wimbledoom bat and ball wipeout of favourite programmes isnt helping the BBCs cause, as is the 10 minute news item about some unknown presenter.
...

This is the current front-runner for the Irony 2023 Awards: people using various media to criticise other people for using various media to discuss a story with very little content that's been deliberately set running by the Sun.

How about waiting until something is actually known?

Jonathan

[jb]

The internet never let lack evidence stop a sleazie rumor.

[Psamathe]

BBC are driving me mad - to the point where I wont be renewing my TV License when it expires.

Whilst I don't need a TV license to listen to the radio, the BBC seem to be increasingly constraining content to BBC Sounds app. Content (radio) that is meant to be free to air, freely available is now increasingly becoming only available through their smartphone app/web such that they can track and profile you.

BBC live radio used to be available through standard radio apps (eg Apple radio) but BBC withdrew it to only BBC Sounds app. Many programs are not no longer available through standard podcast app, just BBC Sounds app. Some are delayed from standard podcast apps for eg 1 month and only available through BBC's Sounds app for the delay time.

I don't want another app, don't want to be tracked by BBC, don't want to be profiled by BBC. I use a VPN for privacy (through a UK server) but BBC still block access (even though it geolocated to UK) - so their tracking/profiling demands more data and if they can't get that data they block you. So as a UK resident, UK license fee payer I'm still blocked because BBC don't want me to protect my privacy.

I'm now convinced the license fee is nothing more than a compulsory subscription and one I no longer way to subscribe to. The few programs/BBC channels that were sometimes worthwhile have been or are being degraded/cut to being a waste of time (eg BBC 4 Freeview, eg. Newsnight).

Next renewal, goodbye BBC.

Ian

[rjb]

I agree entirely. I've been annoyed by podcasts not being available or significantly delayed if not using the BBC sounds app. Some podcasts which were available in a lower quality format are now sent in higher quality despite the selection box saying the opposite. I have to discard files on my MP3 player to make room. Not ideal.
I've even resorted to 3rd party apps to download podcasts and reformat at a lower quality. It's a right rigmarole doing this so often don't bother listening.
Come on Aunty please explain what's going on.

[Psamathe]

I agree entirely. I've been annoyed by podcasts not being available or significantly delayed if not using the BBC sounds app. Some podcasts which were available in a lower quality format are now sent in higher quality despite the selection box saying the opposite. I have to discard files on my MP3 player to make room. Not ideal.
I've even resorted to 3rd party apps to download podcasts and reformat at a lower quality. It's a right rigmarole doing this so often don't bother listening.
Come on Aunty please explain what's going on.

I put in a written complaint to BBC. Not heard back yet but still well within their time window to respond. But in the past complaints to BBC are just dismissed to the point it doesn't look like they even read the submitted complaint (just the Subject line).

Ian

[Mick F]

I use a false email address to log in so I can listen to R4 on my computers.
Mrs Mick F uses the same name for her iPad.

Live TV?
They can all get stuffed.