BBC: TV Licence Fee Decriminalisation Consultation Launches

Yes all channels should have been advertising funded from the beginning in my opinion but I guess there was a huge amount of infrastructure to set up at the beginning that meant high initial costs so perhaps that wasn't realistic but the license fee should have reduced over time and then finally disappeared when more entertainment options became available. I think the BBC should always have had advertising in order to reduce the license fee costs.

BonzoBanana I don't think we should be taxed to fund the BBC at all. As soon as advertising came in they should have been forced to fund themselves with advertising too. Why should UK citizens fund the BBC which is spread all around the world, the rest of the world don't have to pay, if they want the BBC then let them pay for it! I don't want it, but am not allowed any TV if I don't pay them the licence tax. They are totally biased and in the (previous) governments pockets. They have had so many scandals but have appeared bullet proof, it is time it is stopped.

tumblespots Wow there isn't much defence for the BBC license. I reckon a few years ago this debate would be a lot more even but its great to see at least here that attitudes are much stronger against it. You can still have a tv and watch catch up services like itv, ch4 and ch5 etc without a TV license but you need to disconnect your aerial and satellite dish etc to prevent you watching live services. I've had no problem adapting to not having a tv license and don't cheat unless you feel that watching the occasional BBC program in other people's homes is cheating.

BonzoBanana I don't think there is any defence of this outdated tax. Personally I think the BBC should be scrapped completely. All their presenters seem to come out of a box marked 'new presenters here - no personality, all very samey, could be anyone but is usually a family member of someone else already employed by the BBC'. Once you get a job there you really are set for life, it's a rare day when anyone leaves because it is so lucrative for the employees.

Absolutely right

I wish I could like your comment more than once!

That's it isn't it, you could finally end up in prison where you don't even have to pay for a licence! Absurd! My dad is one of those who, in his 90s, is now going to have to pay for his licence. He is virtually housebound and relies on the TV for company and is at the opposite end of the country to me (but wouldn't move closer when he had the chance) and I am supposed to be pleased that he now has to fork out more money for this outdated tax. It's crazy to penalise pensioners who were willing to sacrifice their lives for this country.