Is the Television license still a valid way of funding television and radio?
We’re living in a time where watching television or having a family movie is a common activity. In these times we have the easy facilities to watch television on any smart device but do the British public believe the television license is a valid way to fund television and radio. Many people have mix feelings and thoughts but at the end of the day for us to have the privilege to watch television in the UK we must paid the license fee. The license fee is what maintains the BBC services like the television, radio, and online services.[1] “The number of people buying smart TV has increased by 211% over the past two years”[2]
The television license is a license that everyone in the United Kingdom who watches or recording live transmissions must paid. “The price of the license is £145.00 for color and £49.00 for a black and white TV License.”[3]
I believe the television is a valid way to fund the BBC. My first argument is no one in this world who enjoys watching television like advisement or commercials. Has it happened to you went your watching a film and your into the film and all of a sudden it breaks into a commercials. Don’t you just hate that feeling? Most channel’s main why to fund their channel is through advisement a great example is Channel 4. “Channel 4 is a publicly-owned, commercially-funded public service broadcaster.” [4] All BBC channels and even on online service like BBC Iplayer does not have commercials breaks and you won’t get interrupted while watching television. Having the television license helps fund the BBC to not have commercials break which I personally detest.
Another, great benefit to the television license is you have a fantastic nationally channel where you receive the latest headlines and international news. The BBC News is something that I am really proud of I thinks it’s the best program to receive the news from. It has even won News Channel of the Year on February 22th, 2006 at the Royal Television Society Television Journalism Awards beating Sky News, Channel 4 News, and ITV News. [5] The BBC News doesn’t only report international news but it also has regional news to where you live in the United Kingdom. It has coverage across the UK, which the news is more specified to the area you live.
Under the BBC News it report the weather and traffic news. All of these areas, which we see daily, are funded through the license that we pay. We wouldn’t be able to check the weather before we plan a weekend away outside London or where in the UK, or check if the M1 or if the black tunnel is closed down because of construction issues. This wouldn’t be possible if you paid the license fee.
Another, great advantage to why its important to fund the BBC with the television license isn’t just got one channel, which is BBC 1 but also BBC 2, BBC 3, and BBC Iplayer. These channel has amazing programs which the British Public enjoy watching. A great example of a British soap opera is, EastEnders, which has been runner since 1985 where it first aired on BBC 1. “EastEnders has won six BAFTA Awards as well as ten National Television Awards for Most Popular Serial Drama”[6] EastEnders in 2014 is attracting on overnights seven million viewers, with consolidated ratings reaching eight or nine million.[7] This award-winning soap opera wouldn’t be able to air if we didn’t have the television license. The television license covers all cost of BBC programmes.
One of the great memories I had growing up was getting up early on a school day and watch CBBC and Cbeebies. The BBC has produced some of my favorite programmes. These two children’s channels are completely funded by the license and the programmes being aired are paid with the money we paid each year. These two channels are fantastic for the younger generation they air education and fantasy programs. The channel even goes along with the education system it has a special program schedule during half term and summer holidays. During times of school if you get sick and have to stay at home the channel only airs educational programs so get to learn new things even if don’t at school.
After, discussing this topic with family members was they didn’t understand the important of paying to watch televisions. They know that they have to pay for the license as it’s a law and if you don’t you must pay a heavy fine, but what they didn’t get was why? They explained to me that back in their country of origin they don’t have a license if you want to watch the TV you have to contract a cable company and pay a monthly fee. I explained to them all the reasons why having a television license, which I’ve stated at the beginning. They began to understand why we in the United Kingdom paid each year a license.
The other issue they came up with was the cost of the license. I honestly think it isn’t much but I’m not paying it. The cost of the license is £145.00 and in back and white it’s £49.00. The television license considers everyone’s and gives the different options to help pay the fee. They give four methods to pay there is weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. It really depends on what way suits you best to pay the license. The License also considers those who are over the age of 74, care home residents, and registered as blind.[8] Their price for the television license is different to the rest they understand everyone’s budget. If you classify in one of these benefit you get a different price to find out just go to the TV Licensing website, there you find all the information you need.
After, discussing and researching the pros and con’s for the TV License I still remain a firm believer of the license. The license is a great benefit to us and its service is at a top standard. We should be extremely proud of our national channel, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). I think we have the privilege to have such a fantastic system that looks out for everyone. The TV License thinks in the little man and gives them a helping hand in the payment of the license.
[1]“Television licensing in the United Kingdom.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom
[2]“TV viewing figures increase in UK.” BBC News. BBC, 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 May 2014.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21828961>.
[3] “TV Licensing – Check.” TV Licensing – Check. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014.
<http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one>.
[4] Regulation of television advertising (p. 87). (2011). Channel 4 and Channel 5 Television.
London: The Authority of the House of Lords. (Original work published 1st)
[5]“BBC winners at TV journalism awards.” Digital Spy. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a29532/bbc-winners-at-tv-journalism-awards.html#~oFtLHFiHDsRxBF>.
[6]“BAFTA Television.” BAFTA Television. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.bafta.org/television?year=2008>.
[7]“EastEnders.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EastEnders>.
[8]“TV Licensing – TV License types and costs.” TV Licensing – TV License types and costs. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/tv-licence-types-and-costs-top2>.
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