The BBC.. Earning the UK Licence Fee?

Currently in the UK if you own a Television, you must also pay for a TV Licence otherwise you could risk a fine.

A colour TV Licence costs £139.50. A black and white TV Licence costs £47.00. Not many people have a Black and White television nowadays so we are looking at a general fee of £139.50. This works out at around £2.68 a week. Even if you just watch TV on the Internet, you still need to have an up to date Licence.

If the BBC did not exist, there would be no Licence Fee at all as all other Channels are paid for by advertising. So... is the BBC's Licence Fee value for money? After all, the choice of different alternative channels to choose from now is huge and continues to rise. Why should UK residents have to pay a Fee towards, what is becoming, a very small percentage of Channels, that some may argue, they do not watch much anyway?

The BBC justify the Fee by saying they produce quality programmes which are not interrupted by adverts. Also they are a traditional and World-known brand. Well, ok, there is some truth in this, but as more and more channels spring up should the BBC be reviewing their set up?

Below is Venessa Feltz in one of the Quality programmes, Hole in the Wall, presented by Dale Winton. This show has been aired prime time on Saturday Evenings and involves B-list celebrities in silver spangly costumes trying to position themselves through a moving wall.

Even though I found this show rather amusing, I'm not sure I would regard it as quality and its definitely not something I would wish to pay for.

Will the BBC's Licence fee be something that exists forever? Undoubtedly, if the fee was axed, the Government would bring in a replacement TV tax which they would be 100% beneficiaries to. That's how taxes seem to work. One is removed, a stealth one is quietly slotted in to replace it shortly afterwards.

Hmmmm, maybe the Licence Fee should stay then. I can't wait to see which Celebrity gets knocked into the Swimming pool this week. My money is on Kieth Chegwin. Or alternatively, I could go up the Pub.

The BBC thought Venessa was such a hit on this show, that she was brought back for another go.



Yep, it's definitely the Pub for me. I might not come back.

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