TV Licensing (rant alert)

[Biker Biggles]

That's an interesting take on Orwell.I always had him as a strong left winger,given his history.Did'nt he fight in the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War?I also felt his 1984 was aimed at right wing authoritarianism,even if Animal Farm was aimed more at the Commies,but I think his real genious was that It matters not a jot whether these people are left or right,its power that corrupts whoever wields it.A truely great writer however you interpret him.

What really ****es me off is that I just shelled out £131 for a new licence, and then I read that the BBC spent £20 million on new chairs for their new building, and goons like Natasha Koplinsky earn £400,000 a year!! They are squandering my licence money and the schedule is full with bloody lifestyle programs, not the old Red Dwarf and Blackadder that were good uses of BBC money! Grrrrrrrr

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

That's an interesting take on Orwell.I always had him as a strong left winger,given his history.Did'nt he fight in the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War?I also felt his 1984 was aimed at right wing authoritarianism,even if Animal Farm was aimed more at the Commies,but I think his real genious was that It matters not a jot whether these people are left or right,its power that corrupts whoever wields it.A truely great writer however you interpret him.

The difference between the extreme right and left are their views on economic freedom. Both are authoritarian.

[Biker Biggles]

I strongly agree with independant funding for the Beeb too,as without that it would have to compete with all the other lowest common denominator channels and what would be the point?Somehow it needs to get back to a lower volmne but high quality output and act as a beacon standing above all the crap.I am unashamedly elitist on this.Sorry.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

I strongly agree with independant funding for the Beeb too,as without that it would have to compete with all the other lowest common denominator channels and what would be the point?

So they don't at the moment, with fine programming highlights such as celebrity singing/dancing/cooking fever, or whatever the ****e is that they have on at the moment.

[Biker Biggles]

If you read the next line of my post you will find I agree with you.They should move BACK to excellence and AWAY from volumne.This means not competing in the ratings fiasco,but it requires funding somehow.Not an easy contradiction to resolve,but it must be done if the Beeb is to survive as anything other than just another crap merchant.

[BillyC]

Biggles, I have no doubt that you're correct. I was merely speculating on the UK history at the time, though I'd not considered other books of his and their indicated views.


Back on topic, the BBC has to cater for everyone, and it does so very well most of the time. While they do put some crap on to do with celebrity singing and dancing ("celebrity" self promotion), they also put some quality programmes on to achieve a balance.

I like watching Top Gear... but lots of people don't. If losing "I'm a celebrity, get me a life" meant losing Top Gear as well, I'd gladly suffer in silence to keep JC and the team.

The BBC speculate that while their fee costs £130 or so, every household pays indirectly for the commercial terrestrial stations to the tune of £1000 a year through the costs of products that use TV advertising. It's an interesting viewpoint, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were little or no exageration in that figure.


But yes, part of my gripe is the way they spend it... who gives a sh*t that Koplunsky reads the news... there's no need to pay her £400k for what is in my opinion a very unsatisfactory effort. She's a good example of another "celebrity" who just get on with her job at the beeb, and keep away from the dance floor / ice rink / stage. She elected to be a "journalist" or a "presenter"... so get on with that job and earn the appropriate salary.

Getting rid of Dyke was one of the more intelligent, and also one of the stupidest things that's happened.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

If you read the next line of my post you will find I agree with you.They should move BACK to excellence and AWAY from volumne.This means not competing in the ratings fiasco,but it requires funding somehow.Not an easy contradiction to resolve,but it must be done if the Beeb is to survive as anything other than just another crap merchant.

Ah, sorry Biggles, I misunderstood the intial post.

is it not gearng up for HD (broadband straight to tv) ?

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

I am unashamedly elitist on this.Sorry.

And that's another thing - since when did the word 'elitest' become dirty?