Author Topic: License to watch tv? (Read 1448 times)

Deth7 · « **on:** July 16, 2007, 11:03:26 AM »

17- Threads started devoid of commentary will not be allowed (i.e. links, cut-n-pastes, clicky, read this...)

68ROX · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2007, 11:13:59 AM »

In the UK (Northern Ireland as well?) There has been a "tax" or "licence" required to watch TV and listen to the radio.

It USED to be pretty cheap (but 135 BPS seems a little steep to me) and harkens back to the day when The Beeb was the only game in town.

Seems insane to us Yanks, as radio & TV have always been free (until satallite and cable showed up).

Maybe some of our UK bretheren can explain it better...

<> deth7!!!!

68ROX

john9001 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2007, 11:47:28 AM »

the govt needs your money , the govt wants all your money.

Rolex · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2007, 11:52:56 AM »

The IRS collects your license fee for the tax-supported part of NPR.

"Free" TV is 1/3 commercials. The BBC has no commercials. Cable TV is where you pay for TV, the networks still sell commercials and you get to enjoy the same 1/3 commercials, while the network makes money on both ends. Movie theaters are places where you buy a ticket to watch commercials, and a license to be robbed at the refreshment counter.

Furball · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:04:38 PM »

Top Gear is worth the license fee alone...

Then shows like Rome, Seven Ages of Rock, Blue Planet, Planet Earth and the like just make it a bargain.

No stupid infomercials every 5 minutes like American tv.

Russian · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:07:59 PM »

Does cost of cable in England included into taxes? How much would it be?

Commercial free TV would be a great thing.

john9001 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:12:01 PM »

but without Commercials, how would you know what to buy?

Furball · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:13:18 PM »

Pay extra for satellite/cable TV.

These are free channels which you can get through a freeview digital box here, only the BBC is funded by the TV license fee, and are the only ones commercial free: -

http://www.freeview.co.uk/channels

Or you can pick up five channels through a standard aerial (two of which are bbc). But this is going to change soon, as all channels are going digital - most new tv's come with an inbuilt digibox.

Dowding · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:14:49 PM »

No TV is free; commercials are too high a price for me to pay, so I'll stick with the license fee. It's great to watch a whole show without the adverts.

Masherbrum · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:21:04 PM »

It looks like he's holding a green dild*.

Furball · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:26:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Masherbrum
It looks like he's holding a green dild*.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:28:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
No TV is free; commercials are too high a price for me to pay, so I'll stick with the license fee. It's great to watch a whole show without the adverts.

I watch without adverts and don't pay a license fee. DVR's are great!

Furball · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:30:56 PM »

Shows also get cut in order to make time for the commercials, so you do not see the full show.

Dowding · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:31:13 PM »

Got one. But alot of the time I watch a program 'live'. Their sports coverage is also better because of the lack of adverts.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:35:33 PM »

Subjects never complain about taxes, and actually *liked* to be taxed. Imagine that!