Fecking bureaucracy

[DarthInsinuate]

i was trying to fill in my refund form for my TV License, but i was stumped by Section 4, which states "You will need to tick the box that refers to your situation." There wasn't any tick box on the form refering to any situation :frusty:

[Virtualbody1234]

TV license?

Wtf is that?

[enoughfakefiles]

TV license?

Wtf is that?

A license for a tv. :blink:

[Mr JP Fugley]

TV license?

Wtf is that?

A license for a tv. :blink:
but thats not important right now

[GepperRankins]

TV license?

Wtf is that?
it's what we pay so the bbc isn't crap :ermm:

[Virtualbody1234]

Wow!!!

[DarthInsinuate]

TV license?

Wtf is that?
it's what we pay so the bbc isn't crap :ermm:
that's not true, it's still mostly crap

[Virtualbody1234]

I was reading: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

I can't believe it. You actually have TV license police?

It got me wondering... Where else in the world do people pay for a TV license?

[Biggles]

it's what we pay so the bbc isn't crap :ermm:
that's not true, it's still mostly crap

:) But at least it is not ITV.


Actually I am quite fond of the Beeb.

VB it is probably more accurate to see it as a compulsory annual subscription as you do get several TV channels and radio stations thrown in with the licence ...
all advertisement free.

[Virtualbody1234]

... you do get several TV channels and radio stations thrown in with the licence ...
all advertisement free.
What prevents you from tuning into those without a licence?

[99%]

"You will need to tick the box that refers to your situation." There wasn't any tick box on the form refering to any situation :frusty:

maybe make your own "tick box" stating whatever you lick
eg ( x ) Darth need not ever pay for tv

[Snee]

@VB: If it's anything like it's over here, it's compulsory, like biggles says, assuming you have a tv.

You can get away with not paying, but if they catch you there will be a fine, and they actually check up on people that are listed as having bought a tv :blink:
I started recieving bills when I bought my first tv off a vendor.

Seems they register you somehow when you do.

Very annoying, it is. Especially when it's as it is here, where the public channels and radio are so crap that I never watch or listen to them any more.

[Biggles]

... you do get several TV channels and radio stations thrown in with the licence ...
all advertisement free.
What prevents you from tuning into those without a licence?

:) Absolutely nothing.

However, as Snny pointed out, a spanking from the licence police is always just around the corner if you do.

I haven't seen Swedish TV so I can't comment but the Beeb has produced some classic TV and Radio. Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Hitch Hikers Guide, Young Ones all of David Attenboroughs wild life programmes etc.,

In the UK the only commercial channel that comes close is Channel 4.

[GepperRankins]

I was reading: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

I can't believe it. You actually have TV license police?

It got me wondering... Where else in the world do people pay for a TV license?
i think the TV licensing police thing is a myth.

well kind of anyway. they pretend they have flying vans with lasers on that can detect an unlicensed TV through 16 foot thick steel reinforced walls and can instantly exterminate anyone who has watched the unlicensed TV. really the just catch up with people who haven't kept up payments to check if they still have a TV. i think anyway :ermm:

[Virtualbody1234]

I can't get over how you all seem to accept this.

I can understand if people want to pay extra for cable channels or even PayTV but to make it compulsory??

[Snee]

I'm not happy with it, and I certainly haven't paid any of those bills yet.


But I figure that with all the injustice in the world, this is such a small thing to focus on.

@biggles: when I was younger there were some rather good shows worth
watching, but they seem to be moving away from what's actually watchable as of late.

Among their more notable "achievements" in later years was the introduction of the docusoap (they were the first network to do so in the entire western world), more specifically a show called "Robinson" (which the americans later turned into "Survivor"). Words can't accurately describe how much I loathe them for that.

[Afronaut]

They got the same crap in Norway too, and in Finland.
Have yet to pay for TV, hehe...

http://img42.echo.cx/img42/9955/pirate6py.gif

[Gripper]

The BBC invented the Daleks to enforce the tv licensing fee and if you dont pay they will come round and exterminate you

[enoughfakefiles]

The BBC invented the Daleks to enforce the tv licensing fee and if you dont pay they will come round and exterminate you

I wonder if they`ll send davros himself round.

http://myhome.iolfree.ie/~eddiemoroney/gaalookalikes/images/ian_dowie.jpg

[manker]

I can't get over how you all seem to accept this.

I can understand if people want to pay extra for cable channels or even PayTV but to make it compulsory??The BBC rawks, that's all there is to it. British people are quite proud of it and most don't begrudge paying the licence fee.

There really isn't an alternative which would keep the BBC as is.

[JPaul]

VB

The BBC is not like your commercial TV channels, in fact it is much more than just TV. It is set up by a royal charter which gives it a wide ranging remit.

See Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/charter_text.shtml) if you are interested. You will also need to look Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/agreement_text.shtml) and Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/agreement_text_amend.shtml) to get a more up to date picture.

We pay for it because we like the fact that is advert free, that it is editorialy independent and that it can provide quality broadcasting with only a nod to commercial considerations. Thus providing for the less main stream tastes.

[Mr. Mulder]

it's shit, nothing but dr who, eastenders, antique programs and an occasional blockbuster film from the 90's :ermm: they used to run some quality cult programming, but they gave it all away, along with their cult message board (which was my home for the better part of three years :dry: )

wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire, let alone fund their existence :unsure:

[JPaul]

it's shit, nothing but dr who, eastenders, antique programs and an occasional blockbuster film from the 90's :ermm: they used to run some quality cult programming, but they gave it all away, along with their cult message board (which was my home for the better part of three years :dry: )

wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire, let alone fund their existence :unsure:
Not a fan then.

Who else would make things like QI or room 101, or the Hitch Hikers Guide Radio series. The web site is fantastic covering everything you can think of http://www.bbc.co.uk/. The regional website broadcasts live commentary of every SPL.

The BBC is a truly wondrous thing and we should be proud of it. It is the antithesis of commerciality over quality.

Here's a link to http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/ have a wee look.

The BBC is quality man.

[bigboab]

it's shit, nothing but dr who, eastenders, antique programs and an occasional blockbuster film from the 90's :ermm: they used to run some quality cult programming, but they gave it all away, along with their cult message board (which was my home for the better part of three years :dry: )

wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire, let alone fund their existence :unsure:
Not a fan then.

Who else would make things like QI or room 101, or the Hitch Hikers Guide Radio series. The web site is fantastic covering everything you can think of http://www.bbc.co.uk/. The regional website broadcasts live commentary of every SPL.

The BBC is a truly wondrous thing and we should be proud of it. It is the antithesis of commerciality over quality.

Here's a link to http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/ have a wee look.

The BBC is quality man.

I heartily agree. Show me a better alternative anywhere in the world. I will be willing to travel to prove your point. All expenses paid of course. None of your Clocker type expenses. Money up front.:lol:

[Rat Faced]

hmmm

http://img56.echo.cx/img56/4287/notmyjob8hf.th.jpg (http://img56.echo.cx/my.php?image=notmyjob8hf.jpg)

SciFi isnt SciFi without the Beebs wobbly sets and crappy special effects budget :wub:

Who can forget Blakes 7, and its nice to see things havent changed with Dr Who :)

[Virtualbody1234]

VB

The BBC is not like your commercial TV channels, in fact it is much more than just TV. It is set up by a royal charter which gives it a wide ranging remit.

See Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/charter_text.shtml) if you are interested. You will also need to look Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/agreement_text.shtml) and Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/agreement_text_amend.shtml) to get a more up to date picture.

We pay for it because we like the fact that is advert free, that it is editorialy independent and that it can provide quality broadcasting with only a nod to commercial considerations. Thus providing for the less main stream tastes.
I see your point about the program content but there must be some people who don't like it no matter what it is. So why would they have to pay? Aren't there plenty of other commercial channels that they could watch?

What about people who use a satellite dish. Surely there is enough content that they wouldn't have to watch the BBC.

I still don't understand the manditory licence.

We have public broadcasting channels here that we can support if we like them (donation). No commercials and a lot of the same "British" programing that has been mentioned here.

[JPaul]

VB

The BBC is not like your commercial TV channels, in fact it is much more than just TV. It is set up by a royal charter which gives it a wide ranging remit.

See Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/charter_text.shtml) if you are interested. You will also need to look Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/agreement_text.shtml) and Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/charter/pdf/agreement_text_amend.shtml) to get a more up to date picture.

We pay for it because we like the fact that is advert free, that it is editorialy independent and that it can provide quality broadcasting with only a nod to commercial considerations. Thus providing for the less main stream tastes.
I see your point about the program content but there must be some people who don't like it no matter what it is. So why would they have to pay? Aren't there plenty of other commercial channels that they could watch?

What about people who use a satellite dish. Surely there is enough content that they wouldn't have to watch the BBC.

I still don't understand the manditory licence.

We have public broadcasting channels here that we can support if we like them (donation). No commercials and a lot of the same "British" programing that has been mentioned here.


As it happens I pretty much agree that people should be allowed to opt out.

However we have more of a "welfare state" ideal. People pay into things like the NHS even if they have private insurance.

There are certain institutions in the UK, which are effectively sacrosanct. The BBC is one of them and for the most part the nation is proud of it.

[Snee]

Less funding to the bbc might have meant no Monty Python or no The Young Ones.

I'm only against it on the basis that our public channels seem to have forgotten how to cater to everyone, apart from the aforementioned docusoap (which I think may be over now, too many viewers liked it I reckon) they only seem to focus on programming for the extremely pretentious, small children, or very old people, today. They do have news, but people nowadays are better off checking for that on the interweb, 'cos they can't even do that right.

The moment they start performing again (if ever), I doubt I'll complain about paying.

They haven't produced anything of note lately, quality-wise.


Currently they are doing their job properly in that they aren't a channel for all the people who pay for it, and we shouldn't be made to pay for something that doesn't work.