3 ms·

Don't you also need a license to watch live television broadcast via tv or the internet in the uk? Somehow I don't find this license very surprising...

jdietrich 17y ago
We do have a Television License but it is effectively a tax on any household that views television. The charge is £142.50 per year, which pays for the BBC, a broadcaster which is funded by, but independent of, the state. Our broadcast media is regulated rather differently than most. Compared to the US media we have incredibly liberal standards of taste and decency, especially past the 9pm watershed. All broadcasters have a legal duty to act with fairness and accuracy, a duty that is quite strictly enforced. The BBC has strict legal responsibilities regarding quality, which many believe leads to a positive halo effect in the broadcast media. Although it is a contentious policy, especially amongst the tabloid press, the system works extremely well. The license fee is guaranteed to the BBC and ensures that they are immune from government interference. The BBC Trust regulates the actions of the BBC and ensures that they act in the public interest. Although I would not wish to cast aspersions, I can say that having scrutinised the broadcast media of most of the developed world I am personally quite happy with our system.
- detst 17y ago
  > Compared to the US media we have incredibly liberal standards of taste and decency, especially past the 9pm watershed. I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding on this issue. Compared to US broadcast media, sure. But you can find quite distasteful and indecent content on US TV 24/7. You just aren't as likely to find it on broadcast TV or basic cable. The FCC is really only concerned with broadcast TV. You'll find uncensored shows on channels like Comedy Central at night and beyond basic cable, everything is fair game.
- hexis 17y ago
  "funded by, but independent of" The philosophy of the American teenager is apparently alive and well in the UK.
- eru 17y ago
  > Our broadcast media is regulated rather differently than most. Germany seems to operate a similar system. But there the broadcasters themselves can decide on how high the fee should be. Who does decide on that in the UK?
  - jdietrich 17y ago
    The license fee can never decrease, but any increase has to be negotiated for with the Government. The fee generally increases at a little above the rate of inflation.

jdietrich 17y ago

We do have a Television License but it is effectively a tax on any household that views television. The charge is £142.50 per year, which pays for the BBC, a broadcaster which is funded by, but independent of, the state. Our broadcast media is regulated rather differently than most. Compared to the US media we have incredibly liberal standards of taste and decency, especially past the 9pm watershed. All broadcasters have a legal duty to act with fairness and accuracy, a duty that is quite strictly enforced. The BBC has strict legal responsibilities regarding quality, which many believe leads to a positive halo effect in the broadcast media. Although it is a contentious policy, especially amongst the tabloid press, the system works extremely well. The license fee is guaranteed to the BBC and ensures that they are immune from government interference. The BBC Trust regulates the actions of the BBC and ensures that they act in the public interest. Although I would not wish to cast aspersions, I can say that having scrutinised the broadcast media of most of the developed world I am personally quite happy with our system.

detst 17y ago
> Compared to the US media we have incredibly liberal standards of taste and decency, especially past the 9pm watershed. I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding on this issue. Compared to US broadcast media, sure. But you can find quite distasteful and indecent content on US TV 24/7. You just aren't as likely to find it on broadcast TV or basic cable. The FCC is really only concerned with broadcast TV. You'll find uncensored shows on channels like Comedy Central at night and beyond basic cable, everything is fair game.
hexis 17y ago
"funded by, but independent of" The philosophy of the American teenager is apparently alive and well in the UK.
eru 17y ago
> Our broadcast media is regulated rather differently than most. Germany seems to operate a similar system. But there the broadcasters themselves can decide on how high the fee should be. Who does decide on that in the UK?
- jdietrich 17y ago
  The license fee can never decrease, but any increase has to be negotiated for with the Government. The fee generally increases at a little above the rate of inflation.