Broadcast TV, do we really need it?

[BigBird]

I think this clarify's the situation

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/foi/class...t_question.pdf

Fon

Cheers Fon. That certainly clarifies what is a grey area for many people.

So you can have a TV with an aerial or satellite system connected, in other words a system capable of receiving live TV, as long as you don't actually watch or record live TV.
As long as the system is only used to listen to digital radio, in which case justifies the aerial being plugged in or the TV connected to a satellite system, then you do not need a TV licence. (">

[burner1]

I found THIS an interesting read on the subject as well.

[{{909}}]

Since I no longer reside in the UK, i watch zero live TV shows, but I do download a fair bit of UK TV which I fully appreciate has to be funded by someone. The BBC do make some fucking fantastic docu's and the occasional decent comedy show, but 90% of it, my life is better without.

I do think live TV has a place though, a lot of entertainment can be gained by consuming beer and watching shite TV.

[Geko]

BBC documentaries are the only programming worth the licence money.

[burner1]

BBC documentaries are the only programming worth the licence money.

True. I've got numerous DVD's etc. that I've bought over the years and love watching them with the kids but it's not just the quality of programmes (or lack of) that's the problem for me, it's the BBC's arrogance and attitude towards anyone who doesn't wish to watch live broadcasts.

[Geko]

True. I've got numerous DVD's etc. that I've bought over the years and love watching them with the kids but it's not just the quality of programmes (or lack of) that's the problem for me, it's the BBC's arrogance and attitude towards anyone who doesn't wish to watch live broadcasts.

I agree. I have bought a place recently and I am bombarded with requests for me to purchase a TV licence. I don't have a TV in the place. I will not be contacting to let them know this. They can waste their time.

However, Virgin Media have sent me at least 10 x the letters informing me of their great service. The last person had Virgin media. But.... The cunts drilled through 2 walls and stapled their cables to the wall. I am cutting it out and won't be subscribing...!

[QUEST]

BBC documentaries are the only programming worth the licence money.

I agree, I do have to admit that I enjoy BBC Documentaries, high quality output IMO.

[EvilBoB]

There are some good shows on TV and ultimately the advertising on commercial channels helps pay for studios making them. Netflix has taken a leap with two original series under their belt and another in the pipeline - also Amazon are starting the same thing. This is the way forward. I think the BBC has a limit life left in it to be honest with so much competition out there but they will drag it out until the bitter end! BBC run so many channels on TV and radio now that I've lost track - I don't watch TV though. My lodger does and he spends his days watching Jeremy Kyle, Hollyoaks, Storage Wars and LA Ink/Miami Ink. *sigh* it's frustrating that he watches so much crap to be honest but it's what his generation watch I guess (He's 25). Reality TV is killing TV in general.

BBC documentaries are excellent but they are few and far between these days.

[GTI]

Without broadcast TV, how would you ever discover anything new? Its the same with radio, its the best medium for discovery.. of course some online service will suggest similar music etc.. but its driven by algorithms rather than just complete randomness.

[EvilBoB]

Without broadcast TV, how would you ever discover anything new? Its the same with radio, its the best medium for discovery.. of course some online service will suggest similar music etc.. but its driven by algorithms rather than just complete randomness.

That implies that there is anything new on TV and not the drivel that we have to deal with lol. Advertising is getting bigger and bigger on the internet these days. It's almost impossible not to have to watch an advert before a youtube video or even a video off a news site like CNN.com.

Community driven forums (like DF) and review websites will be where you discover new shows as well as targetted advertising on websites - that's pretty much how I find out about new stuff now and it will become more and more like this as time moves on.

Radio is a different matter to be honest as people listen to the radio in work, in the car and around the house. You can find out about a show or a movie and watch it for 40 mins or 2 hours or whatever but you wouldn't want to be searching for the next track to listen to whilst sat in the office or in the car. Last.fm has done some work on remedying this and I do use the channels to discover new music. It's usually pretty good. XBox has a DJ system as well that is even better!

[Over Carl]

However, Virgin Media have sent me at least 10 x the letters informing me of their great service. The last person had Virgin media. But.... The cunts drilled through 2 walls and stapled their cables to the wall. I am cutting it out and won't be subscribing...!

For the kind of prices they charge for installation, would you really expect them to chase your walls, then plaster/skim and paint?

[Geko]

Without broadcast TV, how would you ever discover anything new? Its the same with radio, its the best medium for discovery.. of course some online service will suggest similar music etc.. but its driven by algorithms rather than just complete randomness.

I use the internet. I rarely listen to the radio, and when I do it is talk radio.

As for TV. I don't stumble across anything broadcast. As I never turn it on. I look for shows I like online. Either a suggestion on a forum, or searching through IMDB for highly rated shows.

For the kind of prices they charge for installation, would you really expect them to chase your walls, then plaster/skim and paint?

Ha Ha. No.

But I can't believe people allow them to come in and bodge in the installation. If I had owned it, I wouldn't have.

[Goldberg]

Yep, 3 quality posts... Goodbye.