TV licence gives us a channel that we all contribute to (TV Licence)

Member Name: HeIsSean

Product:	TV Licence
Date:	14/07/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No adverts. Quality programming. Reliable source of income for BBC

Disadvantages: Old-fashioned system. Effectively a tax. BBC not optional.

In my experience, the TV licence has been an excellent 'product' even if it is really a veil for another tax. First and foremost, the positives are that students can claim back TV licence fees (even if they wrongly have to pay for it in the first place) and people over 75 are entitled to a free TV licence.

I would not like to see the BBC with adverts. The BBC provides some really high-quality programming and is renowned the world over. I think it is right that the country should have access to a broadcaster that is funded by the country.

However, I think that some aspects of the TV licence are old fashioned. In the UK, customers need a TV licence to own a TV and then many people complain that the BBC is not in their best interests and that is the company to which most of the money goes.

I believe that no licence should be required to own a TV, but this system should be replaced by a BBC subscription. People who complain would no longer be able to complain because they could buy a TV without a licence and access all channels other than the BBC ones.

Most Britons enjoy watching the BBC, so most would pay for a BBC subscription. I don't think the money should go to anyone other than the BBC because commercial broadcasters such as ITV1 and Channel 4 can fend for themselves.

A BBC subscription could be accessed in multiple ways, making it easier than a TV licence, which requires everyone to sign up through the TVL. People with Sky and Virgin Media could add the BBC package alongside their other packages and have it all under one umbrella - a system with which people are familiar.

I also believe that BBC Worldwide channels should be available as part of this subscription, but supported by adverts. This would give us access to BBC Entertainment (replacement for BBC Prime), BBC Lifestyle, BBC Knowledge and BBC HD International, which have different schedules to the UK BBC bouquet. The only reason we currently have no access to these channels is that there is a legal requirement that no BBC channel carry advertising in the UK. Why can't we have some channels without advertising and some with?

Summary: The licence should stay, but it should be overhauled.