Broadcast TV, do we really need it?

[QUEST]

For a while now we've been recording shows on our PVR and to date (as it's a fairly new PVR) all the shows we've recorded were all pre-recorded anyways, so to ask everyone a question, in regards to pre-recorded shows is broadcast tv needed anymore?, broadband is is fast enough for most of us to receive our fix on-demand, and BT are pulling their finger out to rollout more fibre over the coming months, in reality all broadcast tv is needed for is live events (like sports) and rolling news IMO.

[Ashley]

I agree with you, I like to watch stuff when I like, not when the broadcaster likes so find recording stuff better.

Most shows I watch are American and either on Netflix or from other sources.

[Mystical_2K]

i would say we dont need it anymore personally as i download 99% of stuff i watch but for someone like my nan i doubt she would be happy losing all the shite she watches in an average day and wouldnt like the idea of permanent on-demand services instead of a normal TV service like she is used to

[akimba]

We have only just switched to Digital TV at least give it a few years before you want that killed off lol

[dpSparhawk]

I personally believe that most broadcast TV in the future will (or at least should) be limited to News Broadcasts, topical documentary shows, education and Coronation St. (because the horrible fker just won't go away - that said the Americans could learn a bit from British "soap" writers instead of cancelling shows half way through a season or at the end of S1 with no conclusion).

On Demand is massive in popularity now so there's no reason why a soap opera can't be provided via on demand options or PAYG channel options.

The problem being is that TV is all based on ratings. If you take away the vast majority of broadcast TV, you take away the ratings wars and whatever revenues they create unless they were able to run ratings based on the amount of "on demand" purchases (tech term for selecting the on demand program) that are watching through to the end (or at least the start of the credits).

I certainly feel that we most definitely need to move away from this 200 channels rubbish. Scale it back to the standard 5 terrestial channels we used to have and then 10 or 20 "other" channels for carrying 24hr news, education, documentaries, Sports etc. with everything else available via on demand. 200 Channels is just dumb and all these +1 channels are pointless what with PVR.

...but then again, a PAYG tv option could be much more costly than a set monthly fee.

Other options are to offer a commercial advertisement free (or hugely reduced commercials) pay option and a non-commercial ad. free service.

[Hangman]

I don't mind it how it is now. I download the tv shows via usenet and the rest of the tv watching population pays for ot voa subscriptions and tv adverts. Looking

[Fon]

Remember if your not watching or recording live tv you dont need a tv licence.

Fon

[BigBird]

I almost never watch live TV. Download American sitcoms and Si-Fi series from usenet or rapid to watch on the odd evening. In the day I just have the radio on. Use the web for the news and weather at a time that suits me. "(>

[Geko]

If it wasn't for sport, I wouldn't need a TV licence.

[Rick Sanchez]

I have no live TV so no TV licence Catch up/download for me

[toonarmynufc]

whats a licence ?

[casio]

if you don't have a tv license where do you stand with iplayer, its not advertising funded its all via the license fee so shouldn't you have a license in theory to use it legally?

[burner1]

if you don't have a tv license where do you stand with iplayer, its not advertising funded its all via the license fee so shouldn't you have a license in theory to use it legally?

If you have a device plugged in and and is capable of showing live broadcasts as well as iplayer etc. then you would need a licence - but that only applies if you were to admit to that or let someone from TV Licencing into your home to check. Don't let them in or tell them anything then they have nothing they can do you for.

[rIKmAN]

Nope, only if you are watching "live" television as it would be shown on normal tv.

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.u...rogs/tvlicence

[beerman]

If it wasn't for sport, I wouldn't need a TV licence.

Same here I'd ditch it if it wasn't for live sport. I only really have my TV on as background noise. I sometimes try and find something to watch in the mass of channels but I think we have too much choice these days. Back when I was a kid and we only had 4 channels I always found something to watch because I didn't have a choice.

[Fon]

If you have a device plugged in and and is capable of showing live broadcasts as well as iplayer etc. then you would need a licence -

Not true, and just propaganda.

The law clearly states that you need a licence if you actually ​watch or record live tv. Not if you have a device capable of doing so.

Fon

[Geko]

We can all lie and say we don't watch TV and not let the TV licensing people in. But where do we draw the line? I can outrun the pensioner in my local post office. But I won't be walking in and nicking the bits I want from the shelf.

[burner1]

Not true, and just propaganda.

The law clearly states that you need a licence if you actually ​watch or record live tv. Not if you have a device capable of doing so.

Fon

May be true mate, but my understanding is based on this:

Part 4 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to install or use a television receiver to watch or record any television programmes as they're being shown on television without a valid TV Licence

From their site http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/l...nd-policy-AB9/

Meaning of “television receiver”9.—(1) In Part 4 of the Act (licensing of TV reception), “television receiver” means any apparatus installed or used for the purpose of receiving (whether by means of wireless telegraphy or otherwise) any television programme service, whether or not it is installed or used for any other purpose.
(2) In this regulation, any reference to receiving a television programme service includes a reference to receiving by any means any programme included in that service, where that programme is received at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is received by members of the public by virtue of its being broadcast or distributed as part of that service.

from here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2...ulation/9/made

From that, I've figured it actually means just having it installed is enough to get you done? Not contradicting what you've said mate as I see it makes sense but that's my personal 'understanding' of how it works.

Either way, I haven't anything plugged in that's capable anyway and certainly won't be letting any TVL bod in my house if they don't take my word for it.

[Fon]

I think this clarify's the situation

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

Fon

[Goldberg]

I don't watch TV, I flick through (hideous) channel lists on the TV's in the house looking for something to watch only to be presented with either a repeat or an advert.