TV licence

Author
Discussion

norush

294 posts

141 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
The BBC may have some faults, but it's still the envy of the world and we should be rightly proud of it. As others have already said, go and spend some time in North America and watch the drivel they have to contend with.

Watchman

6,391 posts

246 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
It's just another form of taxation. Consensus regarding where taxation is spent will never be possible.

Personally I agree with those who want the licence fee abolished. The Beeb *does* come up with some good TV from time to time but I could live without it in favour of the alternatives.

2013BRM

Original Poster:

39,731 posts

285 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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hi guys, once again, could anyone suggest a good 'box' with which to do this?

London424

12,829 posts

176 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
norush said:
The BBC may have some faults, but it's still the envy of the world and we should be rightly proud of it. As others have already said, go and spend some time in North America and watch the drivel they have to contend with.
I lived in the US for 4 years...it really didn't bother me.

I've asked this before about the 'envy of the world' but I can't think of many shows that fit that category.

Top Gear, not problem...what other show's am I missing out on?

McSam

6,753 posts

176 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
The Moose said:
That is kind of my point - does that mean that for a very long program (4 or 5 hours, say) that is broadcast all in one go you have to wait until the end of the program before you can watch it online?

I'm not arguing about the definition of 'now', I'm asking for clarification and what you said ("To timeshift a live programme means you have to record it, so you need a licence. What's hard to understand about that?") didn't apply to the scenario I had in mind.

The reality is that I'm going to continue paying my TV Licence like the good little troglodyte that I am. I'm just curious.
I didn't say that, I said that recording/delaying of a live transmission needed a TV licence. Recording OR delaying.

If you enter iPlayer to watch a programme currently being broadcast, the only way you can watch it from the start is by hitting "watch live" (if only they named it something really obvious so we knew what the distinction was...) and then rewinding it. This is then a delayed live transmission. It requires a TV licence. Watching it on "catch-up" after it has been broadcast and re-uploaded is fine. We've said this many times in slightly different ways now, and yes, it does mean that for a very long programme you have to wait until the end.



OP: if you have a smartphone and a decent Internet connection, you want a Chromecast. £30 at most, and totally awesome.

supersingle

3,205 posts

220 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
2013BRM said:
hi guys, once again, could anyone suggest a good 'box' with which to do this?
I've had a Roku box for the past 5 years. Netflix, iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player, 5, plus a load of other stuff and you can link to your computer using PLEX.

We canned the licence as we just didn't watch normal TV anymore.

2013BRM

Original Poster:

39,731 posts

285 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
supersingle said:
2013BRM said:
hi guys, once again, could anyone suggest a good 'box' with which to do this?
I've had a Roku box for the past 5 years. Netflix, iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player, 5, plus a load of other stuff and you can link to your computer using PLEX.

We canned the licence as we just didn't watch normal TV anymore.
thanks for that, do you have a model # or will anything do, like this?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roku-2400EU-LT-AV-Receiv...

Edited by 2013BRM on Friday 20th February 13:06

anonymous-user

55 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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if its just catch up
NOW TV box
You can get them around a tenner second hand or err new for a tenner ish
Either way you do have to sign up for a NOW TV monthly thing but I did just that cancelled within the 28 days and just use it for catch up TV- for that its simply superb

Funk

26,308 posts

210 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
Funk said:
Your argument is a little redundant as those of us who're licence-free DO live without it. The only BBC output I've watched in the last few years has been the odd PMQ on iPlayer and even that I could live without if it wasn't there.
What do you watch / listen to if you have avoided all BBC TV, sport, match of the day, radio, news...
I read news online, mostly via my phone. Music I have loads ripped from CD to FLAC, next-to-zero interest in sport, I have NetFlix and I watch quite a bit on Youtube from the likes of Roadkill etc..... There's life beyond the BBC, trust me! The concept of sitting down to watch something live is completely alien to me.

I would also be livid if the cost of the BBC got levied onto internet subscriptions; it's bad enough that you have to pay for the BBC if you want to watch non-BBC TV live, let alone paying for it as part of my internet! In the modern age, it it absolutely possible to make the BBC subscription-only. Those who want to watch it can pay for it, those who don't shouldn't have to subsidise it. Turn it off for those people.

I suspect many here are wearing distinctly rose-coloured glasses with wistful memories of what the BBC used to be, not what it is today.

The Moose

22,868 posts

210 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
McSam said:
The Moose said:
That is kind of my point - does that mean that for a very long program (4 or 5 hours, say) that is broadcast all in one go you have to wait until the end of the program before you can watch it online?

I'm not arguing about the definition of 'now', I'm asking for clarification and what you said ("To timeshift a live programme means you have to record it, so you need a licence. What's hard to understand about that?") didn't apply to the scenario I had in mind.

The reality is that I'm going to continue paying my TV Licence like the good little troglodyte that I am. I'm just curious.
I didn't say that, I said that recording/delaying of a live transmission needed a TV licence. Recording OR delaying.

If you enter iPlayer to watch a programme currently being broadcast, the only way you can watch it from the start is by hitting "watch live" (if only they named it something really obvious so we knew what the distinction was...) and then rewinding it. This is then a delayed live transmission. It requires a TV licence. Watching it on "catch-up" after it has been broadcast and re-uploaded is fine. We've said this many times in slightly different ways now, and yes, it does mean that for a very long programme you have to wait until the end.



OP: if you have a smartphone and a decent Internet connection, you want a Chromecast. £30 at most, and totally awesome.
You didn't, but Mr Pointy who I was quoting and replying to did say exactly that!

That's all I was asking. However it then brings into question shows that are on +1 - I understand you're not meant to be able to view shows that are being broadcast live.

It sounds to me like these are rules put together from before the technology existed to do this.

supersingle

3,205 posts

220 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
2013BRM said:
supersingle said:
2013BRM said:
hi guys, once again, could anyone suggest a good 'box' with which to do this?
I've had a Roku box for the past 5 years. Netflix, iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player, 5, plus a load of other stuff and you can link to your computer using PLEX.

We canned the licence as we just didn't watch normal TV anymore.
thanks for that, do you have a model # or will anything do, like this?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roku-2400EU-LT-AV-Receiv...

Edited by 2013BRM on Friday 20th February 13:06
I'm not that familiar with the latest tech but I think the Roku in your link is the one I have. It's a set top box which plugs into any tele, effectively making it into a 'smart' TV. You can get an HD Roku now too.

There's also Chromecast which is worth looking into.

StevieBee

12,957 posts

256 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Watchman said:
It's just another form of taxation
But one that is optional if you so wish.

Most of those that think the BBC is crap or no longer wish to pay the licence seem to be focusing their argument on the basis that they don't like or watch BBC telly or any of the BBC Radio Stations.

The BBC's positive impact on British Music over the years has been profound - and that's music of all genres.

It's association with the Open University has been equally effective and has made a significant contribution to 'society'.

They make good and commercially successful feature films (Made in Dagenham, Brighton Rock, Alpha Papa, Philomena.....all BBC films)

And I don't think any other broadcaster can claim to have done so much to develop the UK comedy scene as much as they have.

Personally, I think the BBC adds a vital 'depth' to the UK and £3 a week is good value for this.

Each to there own though!




McSam

6,753 posts

176 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
The Moose said:
You didn't, but Mr Pointy who I was quoting and replying to did say exactly that!

That's all I was asking. However it then brings into question shows that are on +1 - I understand you're not meant to be able to view shows that are being broadcast live.

It sounds to me like these are rules put together from before the technology existed to do this.
I see, it looked like a misunderstanding of what I'd posted, OK.

A +1 channel is a live broadcast in its own right, it just happens to be the same as something shown on another channel an hour previously. Don't confuse "live" with meaning, for example, a sporting event shown as it happens - in this context, it means watching something as it is broadcast.

2013BRM

Original Poster:

39,731 posts

285 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
ok, Netflix and Chromecast look good

mp3manager

4,254 posts

197 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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michael gould said:
yep ....dont turn your TV on...
Stupid answer.

Correct answer...don't watch or record live TV.

soad

32,923 posts

177 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
No long-term future for BBC licence fee, MPs say: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31623...

The TV licence does not have a long-term future and is likely to be replaced by a new levy within the next 15 years, a group of MPs has said.

Funk

26,308 posts

210 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
One of the recommendations is a household levy on every home regardless of whether they watch the BBC or not and I would very strongly object to that.

It should be made subscription-only and those who wish to watch can do so. Those who don't shouldn't have to subsidise it.

If a levy is the 'solution' then the money should be spread equally across all broadcasters and not given near-exclusively to the BBC.

Nom de ploom

4,890 posts

175 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
The TV licence fee in its curent form is so anti diluvian its embarrasing imho.

I've always thought one possible solution was to allow advertising but only between programmes not every 15 minutes like that we get on sky and other satelite channels which is getting ridiculous....

London424

12,829 posts

176 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
Nom de ploom said:
The TV licence fee in its curent form is so anti diluvian its embarrasing imho.

I've always thought one possible solution was to allow advertising but only between programmes not every 15 minutes like that we get on sky and other satelite channels which is getting ridiculous....
Surely you mean on every channel other than the BBC ones? It's not like it's got any worse...it's the same as it's been since adverts were invented!

The Don of Croy

6,003 posts

160 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
soad said:
No long-term future for BBC licence fee, MPs say: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31623...

The TV licence does not have a long-term future and is likely to be replaced by a new levy within the next 15 years, a group of MPs has said.
Same report also recommends abolishing the BBC Trust - that worthy body that represents the viewing public, but at a cost of £10.5 million per year (2010 figures) and employs 70 (not too many on minimum wage then). It has another few years on the current lease, having spent £3.2million on moving in 2010. Good job they don't have to earn the money...