Tokyo Olympics is a disaster overall.
It's such a shame, because I'm sure the Japanese could host a hell of an event. But the combination of negative aspects for this year is massive: covid, weather, greed...
Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
31–40 of 56 posts
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
In what way is the BBC free? You still need a TV licence to view it live or via iPlayer, which has an annual cost of about £100 if I recall correctly.
You need the licence to watch any live television, there's an increasing segment of the population which doesn't need it of course but it's a "free" channel compared to Sky/BT Sports.
Important to note the word 'any'. Even if you never watch BBC programmes, you need a license or you'll finally end up with criminal conviction if you persist. Poor single mothers tend to form the majority of convictions in magistrates courts when I last checked.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#33As someone from the UK I consume a lot of BBC radio. Mostly BBC4 for news/docs, BBC6 for music and BBC5 for sports when I can't get to a TV. I'm intrigued by the idea that people from other countries might be similarly enthusiastic.
I was surprised to find family friends who lived in Philadelphia watched BBC World Service as their primary news source when I visited them.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#34Earlier quoted context omitted.
Long story short: broadcasting rights have been awarded to premium channels across Europe and the globe, therefore local radio stations of the BBC are restricted there, as the BBC is a free television and radio network in the uk.
In what way is the BBC free? You still need a TV licence to view it live or via iPlayer, which has an annual cost of about £100 if I recall correctly.
> of about £100
I renewed it literally this morning with a credit card and it clocked £ 159. But the radio is free.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#35I have increasingly ignored the Olympics over the years because I'm so tired of the garbage coverage.
We have the technology to stream every single event in its entirety yet somehow NBC always manages to never cover anything well.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
Long story short: broadcasting rights have been awarded to premium channels across Europe and the globe, therefore local radio stations of the BBC are restricted there, as the BBC is a free television and radio network in the uk.
In what way is the BBC free? You still need a TV licence to view it live or via iPlayer, which has an annual cost of about £100 if I recall correctly.
I guess free as in, the signals are floating around free for anyone to pick up and listen to - there is no subscription technically needed.
You don't need a TV Licence to view or listen to anything, you are just supposed to.
Nothing stops you from firing up iplayer or BBC sounds over a VPN or something (unless something has changed outside the UK)
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#37Earlier quoted context omitted.
I ~think~ thought officially you should buy a black and white license.
It's free. There used to be a radio licence, but it was discontinued once the income from the TV licence was enough. B&W licences are only for B&W TVs and are now rare.
In that case, the moratorium placed on local radio seems even more bizarre.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
Long story short: broadcasting rights have been awarded to premium channels across Europe and the globe, therefore local radio stations of the BBC are restricted there, as the BBC is a free television and radio network in the uk.
Thx! Has the BBC decided to do this in retaliation though?
I'm not sure what you mean by "retaliation". The BBC does not have the right to broadcast olympic coverage outside of the UK, even short clips, therefore they are not doing so.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#39I normally watch some of the Olympics or have it in the background on events that took my interest. This time I've not bothered. Because the media rights were sold the BBC can't do that much coverage. I have a feeling this is probably going to have one of the lowest viewing figures ever for the games
Due to Discovery paying almost $1bn for the rights, the BBC can only show 2 sports at once.
This is a far cry from London 2012, or Rio 2016, where they had 15 dedicated olympics channels and is a crying shame, as the coverage was usually top notch.
I have Sky TV in the UK and so have Discovery+ free for a year, and the coverage is extensive - but mostly without any commentating.
Re: Local BBC radio not available online outside UK during Tokyo Olympics
#40As someone from the UK I consume a lot of BBC radio. Mostly BBC4 for news/docs, BBC6 for music and BBC5 for sports when I can't get to a TV. I'm intrigued by the idea that people from other countries might be similarly enthusiastic. I was surprised to find family friends who lived in Philadelphia watched BBC World Service as their primary news source when I visited them.
For one, BBC World Service isn’t full of advertisements.