Tv licence, why?

[vinrex7]

Why do we need a tv licence? Is it just for the BBC? How much of the fee goes to the government?

[NazNomad]

I'd like an 'opt-out' option for BBC channels.

[vinrex7]

But why would it be made a law if the government were getting nothing out of it?

[ABerrant]

The Government used to oversee the Licence Fee but then made the decision that since the bulk of the money went to the BBC they should adminster the collection of it.

Removal of BBC channels from your equipment does not remove the requirement of the Licence Fee - it is a fee to watch ANY UK broadcast channel.

If you watch ITV channels you must pay for a licence.
If you watch Sky channels you must pay for a licence.
etc.
etc.

[ABerrant]

... and the Government still does oversee the Licence Fee in the sense that they set the price.

[seadogg]

BBC is the best ambassador we have. It maintains and supports the cultural scene, who else would put on the proms, host Radio 3 and 4 etc., but if its short term gratification you are after and are prepared to watch the kind of advert dominated rubbish they watch in many other countries fair enough.

[Zeuhl]

The evidence is that a governed national provider not reliant on commercial support ensures a higher quality of output across all providers by providing a benchmark that isn't dumbed down to the lowest common denominator most frequently favoured by commercial channels

This argument is born out if you view output in countries without such a provider.

Apart from anything else, if the BBC 'went commercial' its sheer size would totally destroy the share of advertising spend the other providers rely on.
.

[seadogg]

Belgium is like two countries in one anyway!

[weza74]

Here's my reasoning why the licence is plain theft!
I do not watch tv AT ALL but instead play games and only games but because my tv is CAPABLE of receiving a signal ( well duh how would I play my games console?) I therefore HAVE to pay a licence for something I do not use .
Now please anyone who thinks the licence is fair explain how it is to people like myself who don't watch broadcasts but still use our tv's.
And don't say I don't have to pay my licence the BBC have made it very clear I do because of that one little socket at the back of my tv means its a capable receiver

[Marie]

i can watch BBC on my iphone, if i had no tv, would i still have to pay the licence??