New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it • Hacker News Board

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#11

Post by eckyptang » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:01 PM UTC

eckyptang wrote: post #5

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

I just threw my nastygrams in the bin for 10 years. Didn't do me any harm in the long run. I did have some guy knocking on my door about it. He was "removed" from my property forcefully as he was trespassing. Nothing came of it. I have a television now (for the children) but that is it. When they're gone, it's going as well.

I don't know why this was downvoted - technically a private company harassing you is trespassing and I am within my rights to remove him.

(also I didn't have a television for 10 years).

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#12

Post by freehunter » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:07 PM UTC

wac wrote: post #7

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

I felt like this for years- annoyed at the insistence that I pay the fee even though I don't own a TV. Then, in a moment of inspiration, I took 2 minutes to fill out the online form and haven't been bothered since. However, the BBC offers quality TV without the even greater annoyance of incessant commercials. Take the Olympics: NBC was criticised for their delayed and edited broadcast while the BBC broadcast nearly a…

My question would be, how would they know you don't have a TV if you don't tell them? Calling it hate mail and taking the time to return to sender like the OP is just making life hateful for yourself.

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#13

Post by soren_dahl » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:13 PM UTC

wac wrote: post #7

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

I felt like this for years- annoyed at the insistence that I pay the fee even though I don't own a TV. Then, in a moment of inspiration, I took 2 minutes to fill out the online form and haven't been bothered since. However, the BBC offers quality TV without the even greater annoyance of incessant commercials. Take the Olympics: NBC was criticised for their delayed and edited broadcast while the BBC broadcast nearly a…

How did you watch the Olympics?

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#14

Post by lutusp » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:15 PM UTC

freehunter wrote: post #12

wac wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I felt like this for years- annoyed at the insistence that I pay the fee even though I don't own a TV. Then, in a moment of inspiration, I took 2 minutes to fill out the online form and haven't been bothered since. However, the BBC offers quality TV without the even greater annoyance of incessant commercials. Take the Olympics: NBC was criticised for their delayed and edited broadcast while the BBC broadcast nearly a…

My question would be, how would they know you don't have a TV if you don't tell them? Calling it hate mail and taking the time to return to sender like the OP is just making life hateful for yourself.

> My question would be, how would they know you don't have a TV if you don't tell them?

You may find this hard to believe, but they drive around in a high-tech van and monitor the kinds of signals that emanate from a TV set. If they detect the electronic signature of a TV set emanating from a house paying no license fee, or if they see an off-air antenna, they begin legal proceedings.

What I said above was easier in the old days of television, where a vacuum picture tube require 50 watts of power just to sweep an electronic beam across the face of the tube (and produced its own telltale electromagnetic field). But it's still quite feasible from a technical standpoint -- a picture and explanation of one of the vans:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_Uni...

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#15

Post by Nux » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:25 PM UTC

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

Yes, the procedure is quite annoying, but I think the BBC is well worth that money (if you DO watch their programmes, of course!). You might have got used to it over the years, but spend some time in other countries and you'll really come to appreciate it. I know I do.

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#16

Post by jiggy2011 » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:43 PM UTC

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

I agree in the sense that I always feel a sense of rage every time my TV license is due for renewal.

On the other hand, I don't actually mind paying money to support the BBC. As far as I can tell the system is mostly voluntary anyway since you have to actually use your TV to watch live broadcasts and I'm not sure exactly how they would prove this. So I guess scary letters might be the most effective strategy.

Ironically though, I technically don't have to pay the TV license since I literally never watch broadcast TV. All the BBC stuff I consume is via their website and iPlayer.

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#17

Post by Lockyy » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:44 PM UTC

lutusp wrote: post #14

freehunter wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My question would be, how would they know you don't have a TV if you don't tell them? Calling it hate mail and taking the time to return to sender like the OP is just making life hateful for yourself.

> My question would be, how would they know you don't have a TV if you don't tell them? You may find this hard to believe, but they drive around in a high-tech van and monitor the kinds of signals that emanate from a TV set. If they detect the electronic signature of a TV set emanating from a house paying no license fee, or if they see an off-air antenna, they begin legal proceedings. What I said above was easier in…

Which is unfortunate if you have a TV but don't pay the fee because you don't have to.

You only have to pay if you watch "live TV." (Any live TV at all that is, streaming content as it is aired from the us still requires a TV license.) However, owning a TV in itself does not require a license. Games consoles, Netflix and DVDs do not mean that you require a license because none of these are you watching TV as it is broadcast.

Edit: As a note, I have a TV, I do watch live TV and I do have a license. However, when I first moved into my own place I did get some of the letters demanding payment unless I wanted legal proceedings to begin. But they stopped once I phoned up and told them I didn't have a TV, didn't intend to get one soon and wouldn't be paying.

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#18

Post by twelvechairs » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:44 PM UTC

gradschool wrote: post #6

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

The idea is that the BBC maintains its independence by being financed through its own separately collected tax. The alternative is a system like they have in Australia where the state broadcasting company is a mouthpiece for the party in power, or like in the U.S. where commercial television speaks mainly for corporate interests. Out of all the taxes in the U.K., this is the one I resent least (especially because it'…

> The alternative is a system like they have in Australia where the state broadcasting company is a mouthpiece for the party in power

What? I live in Australia and this just isn't true. The only thing even coming close to this I can think of is that the government runs (paid) ads at times (but they also do on commercial stations). The ABC is certainly not a 'mouthpiece'...

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#19

Post by andrewthornton » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:45 PM UTC

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

Can you explain a little more about how this system works? You have to pay for TV?

Re: New BBC chief vows to re-invent content, not just re-purpose it

#20

Post by jiggy2011 » Tue, Sep 18, 2012, 2:45 PM UTC

gradschool wrote: post #6

cturner wrote: post #3

If they're smart they'll try to create a profit model oriented around online services, and switch their revenue stream to be funded through this. Currently they're funded through the "TV charge" which is a nasty footnote to life in the UK. Regularly I get hatemail through the letterbox telling me what a bad person I am for not paying the fee (mandatory for all owners of televisions), presuming that I have a TV. Yes,…

The idea is that the BBC maintains its independence by being financed through its own separately collected tax. The alternative is a system like they have in Australia where the state broadcasting company is a mouthpiece for the party in power, or like in the U.S. where commercial television speaks mainly for corporate interests. Out of all the taxes in the U.K., this is the one I resent least (especially because it'…

The issue is that they will keep sending you very aggressive letters if you don't pay. Regardless of whether you own a TV or not.

I remember receiving one letter that said something to the effect of: "Right now, we're off to the magistrates to get an order for the police to come to your house, interview you under caution and potentially arrest you".

This was a house that I had only just moved into and didn't have a TV.