New what has the BBC ever done for me
New what has the BBC ever done for me
Author
Discussion

Ridgemont

Original Poster:

9,403 posts

158 months

Yesterday (22:37)
quotequote all
I may have missed a thread covering.


So:

2026 version:

https://youtu.be/koftLxmT6Wc?is=6SSXqm550ErZyj-h


The original version 40 years ago.

https://youtu.be/lUzQ2qIgG6Y?is=LD-h6f6ETf4DWKBa

Personal view: it’s not exactly what it was but mileages vary obviously.

Are you convinced?
40 years ago I was. Not so much now.





towser44

4,149 posts

142 months

Yesterday (22:40)
quotequote all
Had to laugh listening to Talksport/Talk Radio overnight last night. They were talking about Romesh and how he is literally on every BBC show going and he is the one asking the question, What has the BBC done for me ha ha!

Ridgemont

Original Poster:

9,403 posts

158 months

Yesterday (22:47)
quotequote all
towser44 said:
Had to laugh listening to Talksport/Talk Radio overnight last night. They were talking about Romesh and how he is literally on every BBC show going and he is the one asking the question, What has the BBC done for me ha ha!
It s a bit odd: maybe I missed it but yes the phrasing seemed to change from us to me and in Romesh s case clearly a lot smile

768

20,221 posts

123 months

Yesterday (22:48)
quotequote all
It just felt like a parade of BBC faces. Fine if you're into the celeb culture, but for the purpose of the BBC it seemed a weak defence. Mind you, the fact they're feeling the need to invest in a defence says a lot on its own.

MrBogSmith

6,165 posts

61 months

Yesterday (22:54)
quotequote all
As AI-generated content and disinformation become more widespread, news organisations like the BBC are becoming increasingly valuable. With so many people getting their news from things like X, professionally verified journalism is arguably more important than ever.


dbdb

5,108 posts

200 months

Yesterday (23:16)
quotequote all
MrBogSmith said:
As AI-generated content and disinformation become more widespread, news organisations like the BBC are becoming increasingly valuable. With so many people getting their news from things like X, professionally verified journalism is arguably more important than ever.
I agree and would want to preserve the BBC because of that. Disappointingly, it is rather biased in its coverage and tone and often fails to contextualize properly. I wouldn't want it to be dismantled though.

Ridgemont

Original Poster:

9,403 posts

158 months

Yesterday (23:21)
quotequote all
768 said:
It just felt like a parade of BBC faces. Fine if you're into the celeb culture, but for the purpose of the BBC it seemed a weak defence. Mind you, the fact they're feeling the need to invest in a defence says a lot on its own.
Well to be fair it felt it had to do it 40 years ago.

I’ld be interested to know Cleese’s view nowadays, now that he has gestated into the colonel smile

S600BSB

7,993 posts

133 months

The Beeb is still brilliant vfm - not just the tv but also the radio. Needs to be cherished.

Alex Z

2,025 posts

103 months

768 said:
It just felt like a parade of BBC faces. Fine if you're into the celeb culture, but for the purpose of the BBC it seemed a weak defence. Mind you, the fact they're feeling the need to invest in a defence says a lot on its own.
Yes, they absolutely do need to defend themselves because a reform government would do everything in its power to either shut them down or make them a source of government propaganda (despite having given Nigel loads of coverage).

They are a huge national asset and should be protected. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

Jamescrs

6,249 posts

92 months

S600BSB said:
The Beeb is still brilliant vfm - not just the tv but also the radio. Needs to be cherished.
I personally don’t use any BBC services, I watch no live TV and stream music from YouTube Music in my car or podcasts therefore to me the BBC is irrelevant and I see no reason to cherish it.


grumbledoak

32,507 posts

260 months

The state's propaganda apparatus is not going anywhere. This is just more of it.

As fewer and fewer people are paying the licence fee it would be nice to see it come out of general taxation.

The Mad Monk

11,288 posts

144 months

Yeah, but,

S'posing I don't watch the BBC, why have I still got to pay for it?

I have had one of my brilliant ideas - if you want the BBC and watch the BBC then pay for it - by subscription.

If you don't watch it and don't want it, then you don't pay for it.

Now, that seems very fair to me. I don't want Sky, so - I don't pay for Sky.

I don't want Netflix, so - I don't pay for Netflix.

I don't want the BBC, why have I got to pay for it?

PurplePenguin

4,099 posts

60 months

S600BSB said:
The Beeb is still brilliant vfm - not just the tv but also the radio. Needs to be cherished.
Yeh right
Make it a subscription service without threatening people with prosecution for not having a “licence” and let the BBC stand on its own two feet.
If they are that brilliant, there will be no doubt

119

19,059 posts

63 months

Yes but they contribute a bazzillion pounds to the economy!

Im on the fence tbh.

We do watch a lot of TV and a lot is over the terrestrial channels with a dusting of PPV.


butchstewie

66,442 posts

237 months

Whilst it's no doubt good value for money in terms of what you get for what you pay I must admit I do find myself wondering how in 2026 we have a system where you are forced to pay to fund something you might never watch or listen to just so you have "permission" to watch something else that you might not have to pay to watch or might have to pay to watch so you're paying twice.

That is slightly bonkers IMO when you think about it.

ARH

1,913 posts

266 months

The Mad Monk said:
Yeah, but,

S'posing I don't watch the BBC, why have I still got to pay for it?

I have had one of my brilliant ideas - if you want the BBC and watch the BBC then pay for it - by subscription.

If you don't watch it and don't want it, then you don't pay for it.

Now, that seems very fair to me. I don't want Sky, so - I don't pay for Sky.

I don't want Netflix, so - I don't pay for Netflix.

I don't want the BBC, why have I got to pay for it?
My thoughts exactly, even to the point where I have considered breaking the law by not paying the tax, as I do watch some other channels live and record live TV. I recorded or watched no BBC programs over the last 2 months, why do I have to pay for it. As for thirer news services they are so biased it is unbelievable.

GetCarter

31,097 posts

306 months

BBC brings more money in from abroad than the entire UK Fishing and Textile industries combined.

Along with Reuters it is the most trusted news agency in the world, reaching hundreds of millions globally in over 40 languages. It consistently ranks at the top for international trust and editorial independence.

It obviously has many faults, but the 'soft' power it exerts throughout the world is immeasurable.

Randy Winkman

21,861 posts

216 months

My only criticism is that for those of us that watch a fair bit of BBC TV and listen to loads of BBC radio ...... by heck the advert is on a lot. A real lot.

That's typical BBC though. I mean, how many times did I see the TV ad for Amandaland? furious

LittleBobbyTables

6,099 posts

213 months

Most people who do have issue with it would be happier if they moved to a modern funding model.

S600BSB

7,993 posts

133 months

Randy Winkman said:
My only criticism is that for those of us that watch a fair bit of BBC TV and listen to loads of BBC radio ...... by heck the advert is on a lot. A real lot.

That's typical BBC though. I mean, how many times did I see the TV ad for Amandaland? furious
Tbh, I value BBC radio more than the tv. Would hate to lose it.