Computer... but don't forget this would basically replace paying the telly license.
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Computer... but don't forget this would basically replace paying the telly license.
probably should quantify my 'F RIGHT OFF' post :)
I agree that currently the BBC does a very good job, on the whole their programs are very good, definately a cut above ITV/Sky et al.
However, i feel its wrong to license computer use for 1 website in god knows how many billion, that i personally (and i'm sure i'm not alone) never use. Charge per download, charge per access. Charging per computer is a stupid idea by people who have absolutely no clue.
and will the UK be the only country to do this. yup probably :rolleyes:
http://news.com.com/Congress+propose...3-5555385.html
There you go Tax on all forms of communication including internet based VOIP. US congress looking into it. Whatever exists will result in tax be it via one means or another. If it doesn't go to the BBC don't doubt for a second that it will exist in another form to take money away from you.
Other countries have TV licencing fees, Norway for one. So its not just UK that get this, but i do believe we get one of the best returns for our licencing fee.
TiG
fair point. though it seems all we seem to get is taxed to the moon and back. there's even a death tax which takes the p*ss a tad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Galant
Just out of interest, do people in america have to pay a TV lisence? (having never been, i dont know) If not why not? and if they dont why should we?
If they dont, no offence, but that would mean you werent paying one either, and tbh, you arent paying on to the BBC.
I understand that the BBC do a good job yadda yadda yadda, BUT i think the price of a TV lisence is a bit much. Especially for us poor people (and students!) who a) hardly ever watch TV, and b) have no money! Pensioners get a discount, why shouldnt poor people or students?
As for taxing computer use, nah, i dont buy it. We already pay for internet use, why should we pay anything more just cos the BBC are getting a bit upity? EXPECIALLY when they only plan to tax the UK for it? HELLO!
Polliticians need to get a grip.
People seem to be missing the point, it is viewed that by 2017 it may well be that all broadcasts happen via the internet and not via normal over the air transmission, therefore you would watch TV by your "computer" in broad terms, therefore the fee would be placed on computer or more likely a HTPC media PC. Which is where i'm sure this computer item comes in.
Again its likely the media just hyping one tiny part of the document.
TiG
The BBC and licence fee is a an institution. For one there is no advertising and also as they are accountable to the licence fee payers (i.e you and me) it is supposed to be unrivaled in providing unbias television.
No one likes to pay though. However im also paying £50 a month for 500 channels of generally rubbish TV on Sky which repeats it TV programs every 3 days.
Surely the TV licence would already cover receiving TV signals over the internet? It says on the TV licence that it is required that you have a TV licence to receive TV signals. It mentions TV receiving equipment. Your computer would class as TV receiving equipment if you were watching Match of the Day on a Saturday night on it.
"It's an institution!" isn't a valid argument is it really?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fresco
If it replaces the TV licence then surely it doesnt make a difference.
A household which has equipment which can view Tv progs and gets charged the same
doesnt make a difference. Are they thinking of charging for every device?
Now if you have a protable you need a seperate licence dont you?
if you needed one for a laptop outside that would take the piass.
Do companies get charge TV licence per building or what?
I dont like the sound of VOIP tax..... do we get taxed on normal calls now?
other than tax on the money we pay to the telecom company?
as i recall - and I never lived in halls at uni - but apparently if you had a tv in halls you were required to have a tv licence...how they'd tell who and where you were in a huge building housing anything from 100 to 300+ is a bit beyond me but there you go... :rolleyes:
At uni i think they charge per room dont they as they count it as a seperate resisdence.
Hehe nearly no one ever does have them though.
Also i thought that they couldnt work out if you had digi TV or not unlike with analogue.
has this now changed?
No they don't, and you're right I'm not paying for the BBC right now, but I'm not watching it either. I only moved here four years ago though. I do use the site for radio now and then and of course news.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elmo
To answer your question on "why should we?" - American TV is an absolute, total, complete and utter steaming pile. Some of the best, most loved programs came from....you guessed it -Britain and the BBC. Do you know that when you go shopping in CD/DVD stores here you find the TV section and it's filled with BBC programming?
I think it's arguable to state that the BBC produces the world's best TV - second to none.
I know it's a pain to pay the fee, especially for those who watch none or little. However, I'd say two things - what the BBC produce for the fee is far far better than what any other cable company produces with much higher fees - and commercials. The commercial situation here is appauling, it makes TV a real pain to watch here. The BBC is something to be proud of.
Second, I believe it has been established that those who do not watch any TV at all don't have to pay for a licence - you either don't own a TV or don't tune it in to the stations, and you're fine.
I see the BBC's point with this, and I can't really complain, because I think in 10 years time, everyone will have a OC (like TV's today), so people won't really be paying more, and I think TV's and PC's will intergrate. But I think there's so much wrong with this:
* What about mobile phones? Even now, we're getting phones that can do TV, so in 10 years time, I'm sure they'll HAVE to be included.
* Businesses won't use their computer for TV.
* Foreigners will be able to get BBC TV for free.
The only way that I can see around points two and three is for a password bit on the BBC, so only those who's paid will get access to it.
That then implies that everyone effectively has an 'account' with the BBC. They can tell when you logged on, and what you watched. They then wouldn't need to charge per PC, but per minute watched.Quote:
Originally Posted by ajbrun