Hey you, Brits.

[yup]

Is it true you pay a $250 tax to watch television?

[JooX]

Is it true you pay a $250 tax to watch television?

No, they pay two hundred and fifty pounds to watch T.V.

And little men in small vans patrol the streets scanning for T.V. licenses and viewing habbits.:1bluewinky:

[yup]

No, they pay two hundred and fifty pounds to watch T.V.

And little men in small vans patrol the streets scanning for T.V. licenses and viewing habbits.:1bluewinky:

What the fuck is that about? I am going to have to research this little ditty.

[yup]

Since 1946, the TV license has been levied on every British household with a television and used to pay for the state-owned, commercial-free BBC. It's backed up by a formidable enforcement apparatus that includes TV Licensing's database of 30 million residential addresses, an army of inspectors and a fleet of television-detecting vans. These vehicles are considered so crucial to catching crooks that authorities refuse to reveal how many there are, or how they work.

This is almost worse then having a social security number? They know who you are and where you live....dun dun dunnnn.

[Snuff.]

This is almost worse then having a social security number? They know who you are and where you live....dun dun dunnnn.

Unlike regular taxes which pay no attention to who you are or where you live. =/

True, though. I honestly don't mind so long as the BBC's being funded. Simply put, the BBC has very little to compete with, making its programming faultlessly good. Just have a listen to Radio 4. :xyxthumbs:

[brownbearclan]

So you pay the tax...is it commercial free at least then?

[Cymru am byth]

So you pay the tax...is it commercial free at least then?


Yep no annoying ads trying to sell you shit you don't want:xyxthumbs:

[rubicks]

And the repeats are still as crisp and fresh as we watched them pre 1990:0

[psycho_terror]

have to say, i'd rather endure the ads than pay for the license.

i watch far less TV than some, and yet i pay the same amount. advertising is actually a much more fair system.

[hoschiadedodi]

lol, but it's 250 £ a year or a month? Nah, can't think of it every month, lol.
In Germany it's 205 fucking Euro for every TV and 66 Euro for every radio. And now it comes: Since beginning of last year you also have to pay for every internet-computer and for fucking mobile phones that can connect to the internet (WLAN or UMTS). Since most computers have a modem or network card built in, they count nearly all computers as "internet-computers".

edit: not kidding: GEZ at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEZ)

In Norway you pay an extra fee when you purchase a new TV.

[ICE420]

In Denmark the license fee is 1000 Kr, about $210 or £105 for the year, not bad considering you don´t have to sit through a load of shit ad´s.

I don´t know how people in the US watch a show like 24 for example , only to have adverts every 15 mins´, totaly kills the whole effect of the show.

[hoschiadedodi]

Hey ICE, are adverts that are directed to kids also banned in Denmark? Because in Norway they are and I think it's a good thing actually.

[ICE420]

Hey ICE, are adverts that are directed to kids also banned in Denmark? Because in Norway they are and I think it's a good thing actually.

Yep, no advertising stuff like toys, I think it´s a great idea also.

[HeyBuddy]

In Denmark the license fee is 1000 Kr, about $210 or £105 for the year, not bad considering you don´t have to sit through a load of shit ad´s.

I don´t know how people in the US watch a show like 24 for example , only to have adverts every 15 mins´, totaly kills the whole effect of the show.

You use your DVR. You just pause the program and fuck around on FC for a while. Then, you go back to the show, and fast forward through every and any commercial.

[Heero Valentine]

i'd rather have ads...
>.> we have 4 tv's and 3 radio's.

but we have a lot of ads...
every hour of television had has about 15 min of ads or so.

[yup]

How many channels though? I only recall maybe 6 or 7. Interesting idea, this means state run TV ultimately, has there been much backlash from the citizens regarding this.

[psycho_terror]

How many channels though? I only recall maybe 6 or 7. Interesting idea, this means state run TV ultimately, has there been much backlash from the citizens regarding this.

i wouldn't say backlash because the system has been in place for a long time, but there has been a lot of debate over the past few years about getting rid of TV licensing.

as for the channels, i'm pretty sure there are still only 5 terrestrial analogue broadcast channels, but since the advent of digital TV tons of channels have been available for free.

[BustA]

id prefer to have the NHS and pay a tv licence.

than not have to pay one, and have health care like America :smilie_flagge3:

[sib]

Here's how it is for the US:

Broadcast - Free, but limited choices and limited content (FCC).

Satelite - Pay per view monthly subscription fees, content only limited by stations.

Cable - Pay per view, monthly subscription fees, content only limited by stations.

Broadcast is the best value of course, but I only receive about 15 channels (digital). Cable and Satelite while offering more choice, will also cost you money and guess what - you still have commercials. :angry-smiley-056:

I'll take minimal subscription fees and commercial free anytime over paying and still having products whored to me. I'm content with broadcast until cable is properly marketed, which it isn't. With cable you don't get menu selections, they package shit and you are stuck purchasing their crap channels along with a couple you like. What good is 55 channels when 35 of them are shit?

The closest thing to the UK TV experience would be PBS (Public Broadcast System), which offers strong science and history programming at limited interuption because it is user supported. You simply have to endure the quarterly fundraising.

[yup]

id prefer to have the NHS and pay a tv licence.

than not have to pay one, and have health care like America :smilie_flagge3:

My heath care is great! medical, dental, vision. Life insurance to boot. I get it through my employer. Many states have had health insurance in place and working on a sliding scale for years. This is one reason I don't understand why so many people can't seem to sign up for this. instead the fear mongering continues over issues like this through the media.
anyone can sign up that lives in Washington (http://www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov/)

[BustA]

well hey, at least i'm not American then ;)

i'd rather pay a tv licence than be an American lol

[JACKASS2010]

i wouldn't say backlash because the system has been in place for a long time, but there has been a lot of debate over the past few years about getting rid of TV licensing.

as for the channels, i'm pretty sure there are still only 5 terrestrial analogue broadcast channels, but since the advent of digital TV tons of channels have been available for free.

pretty soon the analogue signal will be getting shut down and then you will need to have either a t.v with freeview built in or a set top box:xyxthumbs:

[JooX]

HAHAHAHA NOOBLY Brits

We have the ABC, thats Australian Broadcasting Corporation to you US folks, and it costs us 2 cents a day.

And to make it even better... it's FULL of BBC shows.

HAHAHAHAHA You pay for them and we get them for fuck all.


EPIC FAILZ!
:rolleyes:

Ok, the 2 cents a day part was true.
And we do get a lot of the BBC series, comedy, and documentary shows.

They have to get them from England though... it's a struggle and a half for them to make anything worth watching by themselves.

[Snuff.]

How many channels though? I only recall maybe 6 or 7. Interesting idea, this means state run TV ultimately, has there been much backlash from the citizens regarding this.

State run in the sense that the 'the state runs its own television cooperative' (though it still has to compete on the 'open market' and functions similarly to a commercial organisation); not state run in the sense that television isn't open or commercialised. There are still a huge array of non-subscription channels.

[crazyjoe]

that's so lame...why would you want to pay a tax to watch television

it's commercial free? so what..who honestly pays attention to commercials? commercials are great for bathroom breaks, runs to the kitchen, and to see what else is on.

the only downside I can think of is that recently they have turned up the volume on commercials "we'll be right back after this... NEED A GOOD LAWYER?"

[Snuff.]

that's so lame...why would you want to pay a tax to watch television

it's commercial free? so what..who honestly pays attention to commercials? commercials are great for bathroom breaks, runs to the kitchen, and to see what else is on.

the only downside I can think of is that recently they have turned up the volume on commercials "we'll be right back after this... NEED A GOOD LAWYER?"

You don't mind when third-rate advertising companies dress up pimple-faced drama school graduate and get him to shout crappy slogans for five minutes?

[ICE420]

that's so lame...why would you want to pay a tax to watch television

it's commercial free? so what..who honestly pays attention to commercials? commercials are great for bathroom breaks, runs to the kitchen, and to see what else is on.

the only downside I can think of is that recently they have turned up the volume on commercials "we'll be right back after this... NEED A GOOD LAWYER?"


But who needs to piss every 15 mins ?

[crazyjoe]

You don't mind when third-rate advertising companies dress up pimple-faced drama school graduate and get him to shout crappy slogans for five minutes?

what commercials have you been watching? :omg:

qgE_CX_thVE

or your mattress is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

But who needs to piss every 15 mins ?

300 million Americans and maybe 100 million watching tv at the same time..u do the math :p

[ICE420]

what commercials have you been watching? :omg:

qgE_CX_thVE

or your mattress is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee



300 million Americans and maybe 100 million watching tv at the same time..u do the math :p

That´s a load of piss,,,,,,,,,,,,, or maybe shit.:xyxthumbs:

[ICE420]

I´ll admit that some ads are good though.

this is a Danish ad for an internet provider.

cTMfbtCJ_-I

[BustA]

that's so lame...why would you want to pay a tax to watch television

it's commercial free? so what..who honestly pays attention to commercials? commercials are great for bathroom breaks, runs to the kitchen, and to see what else is on.

the only downside I can think of is that recently they have turned up the volume on commercials "we'll be right back after this... NEED A GOOD LAWYER?"

it may be lame, but at least we have swearing on our tv. and tits in our newspapers.

Oh and lets not forget, our children can go to school without the redciulously high chance that they are shot in the face at random..

[crazyjoe]

it may be lame, but at least we have swearing on our tv. and tits in our newspapers.



shit ass bitch and other cuss words of that caliber can be said on basic tv/cable

Oh and lets not forget, our children can go to school without the redciulously high chance that they are shot in the face at random..

:confused: wth does that have to do with tax on television(not that it's true anyway)

[hoschiadedodi]

i bliewve that commerciels effct evryone. even if you think they dont

[yup]

what commercials have you been watching? :omg:

qgE_CX_thVE

or your mattress is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee



300 million Americans and maybe 100 million watching tv at the same time..u do the math :p

LOL,

Check this local auto insurance agent out. LMFAO

Heres more they are priceless. (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vern+fonk&search_type=)

Ym7h-pPB2is

[Josh85]

HAHAHAHA NOOBLY Brits

We have the ABC, thats Australian Broadcasting Corporation to you US folks, and it costs us 2 cents a day.

And to make it even better... it's FULL of BBC shows.

HAHAHAHAHA You pay for them and we get them for fuck all.


EPIC FAILZ!
:rolleyes:

Ok, the 2 cents a day part was true.
And we do get a lot of the BBC series, comedy, and documentary shows.

They have to get them from England though... it's a struggle and a half for them to make anything worth watching by themselves.

Holy fucken shit I never knew ABC stood for Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Spun out!

And yeh ABC pwns. So does SBS. :smokin:

[MontysDouble]

HAHAHAHA NOOBLY Brits

We have the ABC, thats Australian Broadcasting Corporation to you US folks, and it costs us 2 cents a day.

And to make it even better... it's FULL of BBC shows.

HAHAHAHAHA You pay for them and we get them for fuck all.


EPIC FAILZ!
:rolleyes:

...You know what? Ten years ago it was eight cents a day. :eek7:

But the ABC's still good, as is SBS: There's a very good panel and audience debate and Q&A show on topical issues... for the life of me I can't remember what it's called.

Oh, and Josh? SBS stands for Soccer before Sex, as in racy subtitled movies: I once saw an atrocious Eastern European one where the only redeeming features were frequently unleashed from within a 42" DD bra. But, Betty Blue FTW! :xyxthumbs:

that's so lame...why would you want to pay a tax to watch television

it's commercial free? so what..who honestly pays attention to commercials? commercials are great for bathroom breaks, runs to the kitchen, and to see what else is on.

the only downside I can think of is that recently they have turned up the volume on commercials "we'll be right back after this... NEED A GOOD LAWYER?"I totally agree re. the volume of ads- very annoying.

Ads in general make me want to punch things. I mostly choose products that I've never seen ads for.

How much is cable, and how many ads are there Crazyjoe? When I was in Florida, the basic cable I saw wore thin pretty quickly; one or two commercials every three minutes, it seemed. The programmes were better than I'd expected though.

I'd pay 250 quid a year if it meant I get all the BBC has to offer, commercial free.

[Quackers]

I don't watch TV much, If I lived alone, the chances are I wouldn't pay for a TV licence, it's rare they actually catch people, you get aload of propaganda but actual fines are rare, and usually only the price of the years TV, then paying for a normal TV licence on the top of that. Not the couple of thousands or whatever it says in the adverts.


To actually convict/fine you, you have to be foolish enough to actually let one of their inspectors in your house anyway, to inspect the TV or whatever, they can't convict you just on the evidence they get from those stupid vans, and they have no special powers that means you have to give them access to your house, and I don't think its the sort of thing search warrents are issued for.

I don't really think it's a horrendus amount though, and I probably would pay it if I watched tv more than once every few months. What annoys me is the that you can't opt out of watching BBC and just watch commercial TV anyway. It's very unbalanced in the BBC's favour.

[Cymru am byth]

The TV licence doesn't just pay for BBC TV though, it also pays for the excellent BBC website, 11 commercial free national and countless local radio stations (eg Radio Wales & radio Cymru), regional TV stations such as BBC Wales etc

[Quackers]

what commercials have you been watching? :omg:

qgE_CX_thVE

or your mattress is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee



300 million Americans and maybe 100 million watching tv at the same time..u do the math :p

If I had to put up with annoying yank accents like that every 5 minutes i'd stick a hammer through my TV.

I thought the adds on non BBC channels over here were annoying, then I went to America on holiday n ended up watching some film on TV when the hotel pool was closedon evening, I didn't time it obv, but there seemed to be twice the ammount of adds we have, they were 3 times more annoying and they seemed to cut into the film at the worst time. In the middle of a shootout they would cut to the fuckin adds.

Oh well fuckin done, you can have shit n bitch said on your tv! :1orglaugh: Bitch is even a real swear word haha.

[mastershake407]

Yep no annoying ads trying to sell you shit you don't want:xyxthumbs:


just keep trying to justify how bad you are getting fucked.
i want to laugh.

[mastershake407]

that's so lame...why would you want to pay a tax to watch television

it's commercial free? so what..who honestly pays attention to commercials? commercials are great for bathroom breaks, runs to the kitchen, and to see what else is on.

the only downside I can think of is that recently they have turned up the volume on commercials "we'll be right back after this... NEED A GOOD LAWYER?"


the british are NOTORIOUS for taxing EVERYTHING.

[psycho_terror]

the british are NOTORIOUS for taxing EVERYTHING.

yeah, it pays for our healthcare, education etc.

your taxes are getting dropped on iraq.

[mastershake407]

yeah, it pays for our healthcare, education etc.

your taxes are getting dropped on iraq.



to bad it doesn't cover dental. BA-ZING!

[psycho_terror]

to bad it doesn't cover dental. BA-ZING!

yeah it does actually.

[JACKASS2010]

mastershake......try living in a country before you judge it

[mousewallrat]

Fuck me! I'd pay a ton of money to watch commercial free TV...here, I almost never watch it, because the ads are geared towards the lowest IQ that can still be measured and posess a credit card. Commercial-free TV? Where do I sign up!