The argument in favour of the BBC used to be that it was the only way to get niche programming made. If you relied on commercial TV stations, you would just end up with lowest common denominator TV - wall-to-wall Love Island and I'm a Celebrity, and whatever else can draw in the most viewers and therefore advertisers.
But Netflix and the other streaming services have killed that argument. Because they've wanted to diversify content to grab the broadest range of subscribers, we've entered into a real golden age for documentary filmmakers and other niche content. There has never been so much varied and intelligent TV being made. The BBC no longer provides content that you can't find elsewhere other than, probably, the local news.
So what's the justification for forcing everyone to pay that license fee? Why not let people choose streaming/commercial TV packages that fit what they want to watch?
And if the government needs to spend a little money to keep local radio going, that's fine - but it would be minuscule compared to what they currently spend on the Beeb.
p.s. I did used to love Question of Sport, though, back in the day.
Although in my mind, it's always David Coleman in the main chair, Bill Beaumont on one side, and Emlyn Hughes or Ian Botham on the other.......
But Netflix and the other streaming services have killed that argument. Because they've wanted to diversify content to grab the broadest range of subscribers, we've entered into a real golden age for documentary filmmakers and other niche content. There has never been so much varied and intelligent TV being made. The BBC no longer provides content that you can't find elsewhere other than, probably, the local news.
So what's the justification for forcing everyone to pay that license fee? Why not let people choose streaming/commercial TV packages that fit what they want to watch?
And if the government needs to spend a little money to keep local radio going, that's fine - but it would be minuscule compared to what they currently spend on the Beeb.
p.s. I did used to love Question of Sport, though, back in the day.
Although in my mind, it's always David Coleman in the main chair, Bill Beaumont on one side, and Emlyn Hughes or Ian Botham on the other.......