Spoilers Russell T. Davies Returns to Doctor Who as New Showrunner

[JD]

Is the TV license in the UK any worse than paying a cable bill in the US? It sounds like the only real difference is that it's not optional the way cable is here.

 

[Detached Nacelle]

If and it is a big if a TV license inspector comes to your door, you do not have to let them in, they are completely powerless. "Do you have a tv?" "No" "can I check?" "No." Close door. Job done.

It's a shitty service run badly.

 

[BillJ]

Is the TV license in the UK any worse than paying a cable bill in the US? It sounds like the only real difference is that it's not optional the way cable is here.

I mean, I guess if one is poor they still have access to OTA for free without breaking the law.

Just seems like an odd model, that gives a government owned TV provider a $3 billion dollar a year head start over its competitors.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

^^That is the very thing you cannot do without a tv licence, watch or record anything in the UK that is transmitted over terrestrial airways as it is all under the tv licence, and that includes even watching something on your phone in your home, as there is no free tv options in the UK to watch tv, it is simply pay or do not watch............plus the BBC are hard at work trying to get streaming services under the TV licence banner also, meaning that even streaming netflix or Disney into your home would mean you need a tv licence, and they are also trying to move the licence fee over into being a public service like water, lekky or gas, so everyone has no option but to pay it, something similar to the lekky and gas meter standing charge, it is a utter mess, and all done to keep a greedy not fit fir purpose and out of date corporation in their money.

The BBC should have had the UK tax payers apron strings pulled from its hands decades ago.

 

[StarTrek1701]

^^That is the very thing you cannot do without a tv licence, watch or record anything in the UK that is transmitted over terrestrial airways as it is all under the tv licence, and that includes even watching something on your phone in your home, as there is no free tv options in the UK to watch tv, it is simply pay or do not watch............plus the BBC are hard at work trying to get streaming services under the TV licence banner also, meaning that even streaming netflix or Disney into your home would mean you need a tv licence, and they are also trying to move the licence fee over into being a public service like water, lekky or gas, so everyone has no option but to pay it, something similar to the lekky and gas meter standing charge, it is a utter mess, and all done to keep a greedy not fit fir purpose and out of date corporation in their money.

The BBC should have had the UK tax payers apron strings pulled from its hands decades ago.

UK-Bros.. what happened to you guys?

 

[Starkers]

Bringing 14 back is about the only thing that will get this fan of 48 years back in front of the tele. Otherwise, it's all gone way, way off the rails for me...

If the show can only survive if Tennant is in the lead role then frankly it deserves to die.

 

[26138]

UK-Bros.. what happened to you guys?

You think that's bad? They used to have to have a radio license just to listen to the radio until 1971 (according to wikipedia). Can you imagine having to make sure every person who bought a car with a radio had a license to have the radio? Or every electronic alarm clock/radio combo sold requiring you to go get a radio license? It's weird to my American brain.

 

[Starkers]

Is the TV license in the UK any worse than paying a cable bill in the US? It sounds like the only real difference is that it's not optional the way cable is here.

No, but much like with the NHS certain people won't be happy until we turn into the US.

The BBC isn't perfect but you only have to look at most of the shite being pumped out by ITV and Channel 5 to see that it's still brilliant and still produces fantastic programming overall.

 

[jaime]

NHK works similar in Japan.

 

[26138]

In March 2024 there were 23.9 million licences, of which 3,600 (0.015%) were black-and-white.[4]

Huzzah, black-and-white licenses still exist!

 

[jaime]

Huzzah, black-and-white licenses still exist!

Which is weird, cos I didn’t think there were any B/W sets still capable of receiving a signal, so you’d have to be connecting a box or stick to get anything on it.

As to other parts of the world:

NHK Reception Fee And How To Get Rid Of NHK Guy

For those of you who live in Japan, you’ve probably encountered the NHK guy knocking on your door at least once, asking for their NHK reception fee. I

flipjapanguide.com

Probably how we will end up, because it’s basically the same set up.

 

[Stuart Wilson]

No, but much like with the NHS certain people won't be happy until we turn into the US.

The BBC isn't perfect but you only have to look at most of the shite being pumped out by ITV and Channel 5 to see that it's still brilliant and still produces fantastic programming overall.

Yes, and there are certain news organisations and political organisations that are critical of the BBC precisely because they want to end the licence fee. Not because they care about people having to pay it, but because an independent broadcaster that doesn't need to rely on advertising or sponsorship can't be bought.
Whenever you see yet another post telling you that Dr Who is woke/failing etc (or any other BBC show, or the corporation in general), ask yourself why does this person/organisation care?
That's not to say you shouldn't criticise the BBC or the show, but there are those out there that have a wider agenda.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

No, but much like with the NHS certain people won't be happy until we turn into the US.

The BBC isn't perfect but you only have to look at most of the shite being pumped out by ITV and Channel 5 to see that it's still brilliant and still produces fantastic programming overall.

Just not very good broadcasting.