License to Watch TV??

[starbkjrus]

I was reading the BBC's news website during lunch today and ran across this article.

Can someone explain what they mean by a "License for watching TV" in Scotland?

[davedove]

That's really wild. I can't speak with any authority, but I would bet it's kind of like a luxury tax, where the person pays a "license" for each TV. You know, another way for the government to make money. It was probably put on the books at a time when only a few very wealthy people had a TV and has just never been removed for whatever reason.

[jfellrath]

From one of the attached articles, they make it sound like a fee, more or less, for watching the BBC.

[Colin]

From my understanding, people that want a TV in the UK, pay a license fee each year. Based on my understanding, it is so that publicly funded networks like the BBC don't have to rely solely on sponsorship to run. What that all means is TV with little to no commercials. Too much time taken up with commercials and such anyway.

At least that is how it was explained to me when I asked about it over there. I am sure someone from the UK will explain it better. Personally I like the idea. Too many people plop on their **** at the end of the day and sit there until bedtime. I haven't had cable (I get 2 local stations, one being CBC) for 2.25 years now and I love it.

[cessna152towser]

Yes, we need a licence to have a television set in the household in Scotland, yet another form of taxation. Costs over £100 per year. I see it as a form of taxation as unlike cable or satellite TV which you can choose not to have and therefore not to pay for, you need to pay the television licence whether or not your television receiver is capable of receiving BBC. Before I got married I didn't have television because I felt it was a waste of money but my wife Ann insisted in getting one so she pays the licence fee. The licence money goes to the state run British Broadcasting Corporation, supposedly for the privilege of being able to watch programmes uninterrupted by adverts such as are found on the free commercial channels. Though even BBC is now suffering from creeping commercialisation with airtime being wasted on trivia such as Camelot's lotteries. I'd better end my rant there or this thread will be headed for the penalty box.

[David Dalglish]

Yes, we need a licence to have a television set in the household in Scotland, yet another form of taxation. Costs over £100 per year. I see it as a form of taxation as unlike cable or satellite TV which you can choose not to have and therefore not to pay for, you need to pay the television licence whether or not your television receiver is capable of receiving BBC. Before I got married I didn't have television because I felt it was a waste of money but my wife Ann insisted in getting one so she pays the licence fee. The licence money goes to the state run British Broadcasting Corporation, supposedly for the privilege of being able to watch programmes uninterrupted by adverts such as are found on the free commercial channels. Though even BBC is now suffering from creeping commercialisation with airtime being wasted on trivia such as Camelot's lotteries. I'd better end my rant there or this thread will be headed for the penalty box.

I agree entirely-& also too much programme advertising

[O'Neille]

You pay that much to not have bathroom breaks, when do you refresh your beverage? I've only got one channel (NBC) and I rarely watch that. I decided to turn off the satellite so I could study without distraction and found I really liked it. O'Neille

[Southern Breeze]

That's simple amazing, needing a license for T.V. You learn something new everyday.

[Mike1]

C152t, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't there different licensing fees for color and black & white televisions?

[Southern Breeze]

This occured to me after I made the other post- does watching T.V on ones computer fall under this or just regular sets? The way I see it only T.V's are affected.