[…] You’re in it, so don’t try to hide. Just the ordinary, everyday sort of creep-out the Brits apparently keep a quivering mushy upper lip about, nowadays. […]
is this a joke? you need a license to view programs on a tv in the uk? from their website: “TV Licensing informs people of the need to buy a TV Licence. We send licence renewal notices and we process queries, applications and payments. We also maintain a database of licensed and unlicensed addresses in the UK and use this technology to identify and visit people we believe may be using a TV receiver without a valid licence.” yes, that’s scary. i hope it’s a joke.
No, blixity, it is not a joke. People in Britain have had to pay for TV licenses for years. That’s how they support “public television” over there.
They have vans with TV detecting equipment that prowl the streets looking for freeloaders. This was parodied by Monty Python when they talked about the “cat detector van”.
blixity – No mate not a joke. It is how we pay for our BBC channels (only) over here in the UK.
The BBC and its radio, online and TV channels are publicly funded and do not have third party adverts (saying that they broadcast ads for their own programming).
Other channels are paid for by their advertisers.
Very irritating to pay for when you dislike the shows. Even if you never watch the BBC you have to pay! Owning a colour TV licence costs £139.50 ($280) per year, black & white $47 ($94ish)
Aren’t some computers capable of receiving TV broadcasts? If you are getting TV shows through a cable, would the van be able to catch you?
If the minions of the law knock on your front door and ask to come in to look for TV sets, are you allowed to say “no?” Can the BBC get a warrant to enter your premises while you are away to search your home?
$300/year is a LOT. I live in an apartment complex and pay $3.75/month ($45.00 per year) for 32 channels. The channels aren’t as good as the BBC, but I don’t watch much TV.
Curious American – You pay once even with more than one TV as you pay per unit of people per household i.e. family unit pays once for the house they live in. If you live alone in apartment you pay for yourself.
You don’t technically have to pay if you only have a PC, as the idea is to licence telecommunications equipment that receives LIVE BBC broadcasts (ANY other channels are irrelevant – the licence is for BBC only). Stores try to be clever and forcibly take name and address details when you purchase entertainment equipment like a screen or a DVD player and they forward this to the TV Licence people *without* your permission!
I don’t think BBC can get a warrant, and I don’t think they can force their way in… but they don’t need to as they know from their database whether you have a TV/ licence.
Can alway turn off the TVs and the monitors……ha ha ha ha ha
Comment by mylesfromnowhere — 5 May, 2008 @ 21:49
Sort of an “own goal” this… doesn’t really help the UK gov’s campaign to introduce compulsory ID cards. Heh heh.
Comment by fotdmike — 6 May, 2008 @ 0:56
Thats nice, big brother is watching… BECAUSE YOU OWE HIM MONEY.
Comment by ozymandiaz — 6 May, 2008 @ 4:23
[…] You’re in it, so don’t try to hide. Just the ordinary, everyday sort of creep-out the Brits apparently keep a quivering mushy upper lip about, nowadays. […]
Pingback by New Paltz Journal » Blog Archive » Airstrip One database update — 6 May, 2008 @ 5:46
is this a joke? you need a license to view programs on a tv in the uk? from their website: “TV Licensing informs people of the need to buy a TV Licence. We send licence renewal notices and we process queries, applications and payments. We also maintain a database of licensed and unlicensed addresses in the UK and use this technology to identify and visit people we believe may be using a TV receiver without a valid licence.” yes, that’s scary. i hope it’s a joke.
Comment by blixity — 6 May, 2008 @ 6:08
K, should I be afraid???
Comment by lwayswright — 6 May, 2008 @ 6:38
No, blixity, it is not a joke. People in Britain have had to pay for TV licenses for years. That’s how they support “public television” over there.
They have vans with TV detecting equipment that prowl the streets looking for freeloaders. This was parodied by Monty Python when they talked about the “cat detector van”.
Comment by buttle — 6 May, 2008 @ 7:05
I like beans
Comment by Ervin Sholpnick — 6 May, 2008 @ 8:17
I have stuck to the simple solution for years- life without a telly works too.
And what would britain be/have without the bbc..?
Comment by boblet — 6 May, 2008 @ 11:38
blixity – No mate not a joke. It is how we pay for our BBC channels (only) over here in the UK.
The BBC and its radio, online and TV channels are publicly funded and do not have third party adverts (saying that they broadcast ads for their own programming).
Other channels are paid for by their advertisers.
Very irritating to pay for when you dislike the shows. Even if you never watch the BBC you have to pay! Owning a colour TV licence costs £139.50 ($280) per year, black & white $47 ($94ish)
TheLostGirl
Comment by iamthelostgirl — 6 May, 2008 @ 11:39
£47 ($94ish) -oops
Comment by iamthelostgirl — 6 May, 2008 @ 11:39
Very creepy
http://www.tinathomsen.wordpress.com
Comment by Tina Thomsen — 6 May, 2008 @ 12:08
Talk about government intimidation!
Comment by Amanda — 6 May, 2008 @ 13:12
What if you have more than one TV?
Aren’t some computers capable of receiving TV broadcasts? If you are getting TV shows through a cable, would the van be able to catch you?
If the minions of the law knock on your front door and ask to come in to look for TV sets, are you allowed to say “no?” Can the BBC get a warrant to enter your premises while you are away to search your home?
$300/year is a LOT. I live in an apartment complex and pay $3.75/month ($45.00 per year) for 32 channels. The channels aren’t as good as the BBC, but I don’t watch much TV.
Comment by Curious American — 6 May, 2008 @ 15:32
Next stop, The Matrix
Comment by The Bagel of Everything — 6 May, 2008 @ 16:12
yeah, it seems like i just wouldn’t watch tv… but i already do that.
Comment by rocketrefund — 6 May, 2008 @ 18:08
Modern computational power is a two edged sword. In the end it will be the downfall of freedom.
Comment by thewordofme — 6 May, 2008 @ 18:15
Curious American – You pay once even with more than one TV as you pay per unit of people per household i.e. family unit pays once for the house they live in. If you live alone in apartment you pay for yourself.
You don’t technically have to pay if you only have a PC, as the idea is to licence telecommunications equipment that receives LIVE BBC broadcasts (ANY other channels are irrelevant – the licence is for BBC only). Stores try to be clever and forcibly take name and address details when you purchase entertainment equipment like a screen or a DVD player and they forward this to the TV Licence people *without* your permission!
I don’t think BBC can get a warrant, and I don’t think they can force their way in… but they don’t need to as they know from their database whether you have a TV/ licence.
TheLostGirl
Comment by iamthelostgirl — 7 May, 2008 @ 14:29