SteveRW post_id=63466 time= user_id=2173 Wrote:Or, get rid of 1Xtra and go back to how the BBC used to be - make all Radio stations universal for everyone. why would you want a radio station that only appeals to 18-34 year olds when you would rather have 14 - 80 year olds listening?
Whilst I'm not sure I agree the above logic for closing 1Xtra - I think it definitely makes sense in relation to BBC Three. Does it really need its own linear channel?, couldn't they just scrap the BBC Three brand and put the content directly on BBC One? Given the focus that they're putting on iPlayer lately, bringing back BBC Three as a channel now does feel a bit like an overpriced vanity project.
Worth noting, it is often forgotten in these debates that the UK way of doing things and the US way of doing things are not the only options. See also healthcare. There are plenty of alternatives other than a license fee or a subscription service.
It’s always been my wish that funding for the BBC be moved into general taxation - the current license fee is not progressive, whereas moving it into taxation will mean those on lower incomes will pay less. Surely that’s preferable to a blanket fee?
SteveRW post_id=63466 time= user_id=2173 Wrote:all new Phil post_id=63457 time= user_id=865 Wrote:BBCMeridian post_id=63444 time= user_id=2083 Wrote:If cuts would have to be made and that they could be force to close some services, then I suggest that CBeebies should be closed and all of its programmes moved on to the main CBBC Channel.
Yeah let’s merge Radio 4 with 1Xtra while we’re at it, given that’s another 2 services with some obvious overlap of content.
Or, get rid of 1Xtra and go back to how the BBC used to be - make all Radio stations universal for everyone. why would you want a radio station that only appeals to 18-34 year olds when you would rather have 14 - 80 year olds listening?
[mention]DeMarkay[/mention], I assumed this post was sarcastic, in reference to all new Phil's also sarcastic post?
Aside from moving to taxation, I don’t really see a sensible/workable solution for this.
There wouldn’t be enough Ad revenue for the BBC to transition into a commercial broadcaster. Well, I guess there would be but it would come at the expensive of other channels. ITV would see a drop, as people choose Strictly for big Christmas campaigns etc. Then this would filter down all the way to channels like CBS Reality or GB News.
I personally can’t see how subscription would work. Netflix doesn’t turn a profit, but even they didn’t start off producing as many shows as they do now. They built it up over time when the subscription base increases. How would the BBC budget for 2027 when they would realistically have no idea how many people will “opt in” to subscribe.
Plus services that aren’t that commercially viable like BBC Bitesize, where do they slot in? You don’t want those pages littered with ads.
Don't forget that Dorries is the same woman who thought Channel 4 recieved taxpayer's money when she was talking about privatising them. Probably one of the people least equipped for the job she has.
This slow murder of BBC is heartbreaking to watch.
One day they will realize what they had.....
What a brilliant way of deflecting attention from Boris and the Downing Street parties: whip up fierce opposition against the Big Bad BBC and the licence fee.
I despair.
Happy centenerary BBC: by the way, your days are numbered.
I think everyone has said it all. This is nothing at all to do with the "cost of living crisis" as they're trying to spin it and everything to do with curtailing the BBC further. A £7.50 a year saving is insignificant compared to other benefit and tax related changes in recent months.
I would hate to see the bbc go. I would hate to see cbbeebis go and 1xtra and Asian network
Many European countries have a TV Licence, and some are much higher than the one in the UK.
Many don't have internationally renowned programmes and channels.
I wouldn’t bother getting too excited, it’s one of those typical Sunday stories that’ll get everyone worked up, they’ll be debating it tomorrow on GMB, GB News and LBC, and Twitter will spend all day in a rage, and then by about Wednesday it’ll stop being spoken about and that will be that for about 6 months until it comes up again
I also doubt that the next general election will be won or lost based on the funding of the BBC, It won’t get more than the slightest mention in the election campaign
Andrew post_id=63499 time= user_id=791 Wrote:I wouldn’t bother getting too excited, it’s one of those typical Sunday stories that’ll get everyone worked up, they’ll be debating it tomorrow on GMB, GB News and LBC, and Twitter will spend all day in a rage, and then by about Wednesday it’ll stop being spoken about and that will be that for about 6 months until it comes up again
I also doubt that the next general election will be won or lost based on the funding of the BBC, It won’t get more than the slightest mention in the election campaign
They are debating it on lbc right now
DeMarkay post_id=63483 time= user_id=1013 Wrote:The original, much more detailed report was from the Mail on Sunday:
Nadine Dorries hits BBC with £2bn funding cut as licence fee is frozen
EXCLUSIVE: Tense negotiations between the Government and BBC over the cost of the licence fee have concluded, with Nadine Dorries deciding to freeze the cost at £159 for the next two years.
I see it mentions that 19-34 year olds don't watch the BBC... well why is BBC Three coming back then?
This is the problem. Creating services for demographics is in my opinion a very divisive thing to do. The BBC has to be inclusive across its services and if the majority of its services are not suitable for certain demographics then surely it should be looking at how it can achieve that. In the UK, each and every service should be able to be suitable for every person. Regardless of ethnicity or background or age or culture. Yes, have dedicated slots for religion, black music and so on, that has always been the case, but to go further in my opinion goes against what the BBC is. Of course British people are a diverse bunch, and all the better for it, but at the end of the day we are all British and therefore whatever is offered on any broadcast service paid for by each and every one of us, should be appropriate for each and every one of us. If there is demand for a non stop black music station, someone can fund it and launch it.
Of course you will argue that I can listen to 1Extra if I choose, which of course I can, but that isn't the point. The question should be why aren't these demographic groups listening to mainstream BBC? What is the BBC doing wrong to exclude these folk from wanting to use the services already provided? Radio 1 for instance has become ageist and shouldn't exclude older artists from their playlists just because its producers feel younger people wouldn't want to hear them. Again, you'll argue "But you can use Radio 2" which of course I can, and do. The fact is though, I used to enjoy listening to Radio 1. However since I'm no longer catered for on Radio 1 I have found myself using commercial local radio instead more because I find it more universally listener friendly. That's the point.
The BBC waste money trying to appease demographic groups that sometimes it comes across as patronising, whereas other services offered elsewhere seem to have nailed exactly how to appeal to everyone without bringing colour, age or anything else into the equation.
BBC3 is another example. Do young people want BBC3? Do they actually watch the content or are they finding things to watch that better suit on Amazon or Netflix?
EDIT: Apologies if I have quoted the wrong post!
all new Phil post_id=63489 time= user_id=865 Wrote:It’s always been my wish that funding for the BBC be moved into general taxation - the current license fee is not progressive, whereas moving it into taxation will mean those on lower incomes will pay less. Surely that’s preferable to a blanket fee?
The ABC is Australia has been funded out of general taxation since about 1948 - even when they had a licence, it went to the government, and that hasn't existed for many decades. The issue (for the ABC) is that the government then decides on the level of funding, and that is usually cut in real terms each time it is decided.