The BBC part 2..........

[R1Geezer]

OK not a question about the ins and outs of the licence fee etc that's done to death below.

Now if I could wave the Geezer wand and make it technologically impossible to receive any BBC service unless you paid the licence fee and then made the fee optional, how many would opt out altogether? Would you?

I'll start by saying I believe that most would choose to pay, I certainly would. I know at least one person who wouldn't though but I bet his butler would!

[Gromit]

The Government should place all it's public Information commercials on the BBC, and the �160Million it currently gives to Murdoch and his ilk at ITV to advertise on those channels could go towards a reduction in the licence fee for all of us.

And those who choose to watch SKY would then not be subsidised by the British taxpayer.

[jake-the-peg]

As pointed out below that's not really a good solution.

However

Perhaps the BBC should not be competing in the "Entertainment" field at all.

Perhaps it should just be producing public service style programs that would not be commericially viable elsewhere.

There's no reason Johnathon Ross and his mates can't take their shows to the private sector and leave the compulsory license fee (reduced) to cover the sort of programming that simply can't be done on a commercial station

[Oneeyedvic]

Interesting idea Jake - will have a think on that. Not considered that before.

First thought though is - is it catch 22.

Strictly come dancing was brought back to the BBC with the celebrities and proved a hit. ITV copied with a skating thing (not as good in my opinion). I doubt that either of these would have been made if it were not for the way the BBC is funded. And after it has been proved successful, should it then be taken off BBC and 'given' to ITV, who will no doubt it at a lower cost (shareholders) and we will be given an inferior production.

[rov1200]

I have heard recently that the main channels (including the BBC) are to show commercial adverts between the hours of midnight and 6 am. I reckon that should reduce the BBC licence fee.

[Oneeyedvic]

rov1200 - where did you her that (wasn't about 2 months ago was it)?

[Oneeyedvic]

* hear that