RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (Full Version)

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Politesub53 -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/27/2008 4:49:10 PM)

Initially it was a way of funding TV for everyone. There was no such thing as advertising, so the costs of the TV station had to come from somewhere. Much of the BBC`s initial output was superb, considering it was a new industry.



Alumbrado -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/27/2008 4:56:21 PM)

Classic dealer strategy... give them a taste for free, and then once they are addicted, start applying the screws



Termyn8or -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/27/2008 11:34:06 PM)

DA, you have enlightened me so I wil try to return the favor. I will do it out here in public because I might make a mistake and would rather be corrected.

TV sets have been licensed in England for a long time. While I have spouted off about "See what happens when they take the guns away ?", that is not the whole story.

While in my mind I think that Britons are mad at their neighbors and engage in projection, which is what allowed this to happen, they never had a Constitution like ours or anything of the sort.

Basically DA, what it is is that freedoms we have lost, they never had, so they do not miss them. However there are some good points. The BBC is overseen by citizens groups, and as we have seen is alot better source of news than most US media.

So yes, in England you need a license for a TV set, and in the US you will have to buy a box before next February. So what is the difference ?

And LE, I would throw a TV set at the guy. But that's just me.

T



JulieorSarah -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/27/2008 11:40:18 PM)

I can't believe the UK still has TV licences, the administrative costs would be enormous.  Database, direct debits ... it's pathetic and laughable ...

i just can't see the humour in being able to buy a gun in a flea market ... it's actually quite scary.



camille65 -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 4:41:08 AM)

Um I never mentioned guns and flea markets?I only said I wanted to go over and do something subversive. (I picture myself in a black leather catsuit, dashing across London rooftops in my effort to freeeeeeee teeveeee!)



LadyEllen -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 4:56:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

If the store passes on your details Lady E, then why are these guys being paid to go door to door as opposed to already having your address in their database?

And what happens if you move, and take your equipment with you? How do you reregister your license?


Allegedly, the database has every address in the country in it, and allegedly they then target all those addresses without a licence according to the database, on the notion that everyone has a TV or other equipment for which a licence is required.

Clearly, that isnt the case.

If you move, you take your licence with you as far as I remember, and get the address on it changed (they issue a new one with the same number).

Renewal can be by you going to the post office (if you can find one as theyre all closing) and paying the whole fee at once, once a year, or you can pay by direct debit on a monthly basis so that when your fee is due its already paid - a good little scam in that they get the money before you get the licence, but helpful for those like me who can be forgetful!

E



Irishknight -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 6:59:53 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

Um I never mentioned guns and flea markets?I only said I wanted to go over and do something subversive. (I picture myself in a black leather catsuit, dashing across London rooftops in my effort to freeeeeeee teeveeee!)

Great.  Now, I'm picturing you running across rooftops in a black leather catsuit ..... nice picture though.



RealityLicks -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 8:58:06 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53

quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen

Labor should campaign on getting rid of that stupid tax. It would make them immensely popular.





Labour are bringing in more unpopular taxes than the TV license. Stealth taxes seems to be the name of the game with Gordon.



I disagree, PS53.  Enlightened researchers have shown that the TV licence isn't unpopular at all.  I think it's generally accepted that it's the best way to pay for television and radio programming which is a) not controlled by Government and b) not controlled by commercial interests.

I'm surprised at purportedly widely-travelled posters who are unaware of the licencing system's near-ubiquity among democratic nations.  Many countries which have licencing however, also allow adverts which strikes me as broadly counter-productive.

I applaud the licence fee system.  Of course, I have some reservations and want changes - when I come to power, heads will roll.  But then, I believe an independent media is a safeguard of rights and the rule of law and I'm amazed at the courage of the US and Canadian populations in allowing such vital functions to be doled out to private corporate interests, simply to save a few quid. 

Well, courage or apathy, I don't know but I'd be concerned that what's been lost there is now irretrievable and would hate us to go the same way.



RCdc -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 9:27:05 AM)

This is Darcy

Next time he calls, Lady E, answer the door wearing nothing but a thong and a smile and invite him in to wait while you take soooooooo long to find it [;)]



Emperor1956 -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 9:34:00 AM)

I remember learning about Brits and their quaint idea of licensing TV reception from Monty Python.  There were several skits involving a 1960s era van bristling with antennae, and I didn't have a clue why that was funny.

They license TVs, we don't even license guns effectively.   They have NHS, with all its attendant problems.  We have 48 MM Americans uninsured.   They have Mr. and Mrs. Beckham....and WE unfortunately have Mr. and Mrs. Beckham.   Go know.

E.

(And if Lady E needs a TV license....what sort of sexual perversion/orientation license do I have to buy?   And who verifies the statements on the application?)



kittinSol -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 10:06:01 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

Basically DA, what it is is that freedoms we have lost, they never had, so they do not miss them. However there are some good points.



[sm=biggrin.gif]

Which freedoms?



FullCircle -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 1:24:46 PM)

If the TV licensing authority knock on your door these days it is because you either have a black and white licence or you are not on the database. If you have a black and white licence they check you only have equipment capable of displaying black and white images.

I've always wondered about the DVLA database and the reason people don't just declare SORN status to avoid paying. Then you'd only get found out if you meet one of those Police cars fitted with the automatic plate checking device. Most would just pay the fine it is about owning the risk some would argue.

Also why does anyone get the right train ticket when they only check the date and you can probably get away with buying a ticket for one stop if you get off at a station where they don't have ticket barriers. If they do have barriers you could probably get away with saying, "My ticket isn't working" and they'll probably just let you through anyway after only checking the date again. It would be a joke if that were to be the case. You probably don't need a ticket at all; you need a wallet for sure though, you can probably just flash it and the ticket inspector will nod, unless you have one of those annoying oyster cards that hold everyone up behind you when the inspectors go to check it.

Pay and display parking tickets aren’t exactly the height of anti forgery technology. You could probably scan one, change the date and put that in your windscreen. Some idiot who can’t get a better job checking tickets probably wouldn’t see the difference.

I could save myself a lot of money but I'm far too honest. We don't expect the pigs to pay anything as they are transported around standing up on the way to a gruesome event.



Politesub53 -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 4:02:34 PM)

RL if you read my post again thats the point i was making. I would rather pay for a license than have a system were the programs are cluttered with adds.

quote:

I disagree, PS53.  Enlightened researchers have shown that the TV licence isn't unpopular at all. 
 



RealityLicks -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 4:07:26 PM)

In that case, my mistake, PS.  I thought the references to stealth taxes and "nasty" Labour policies reflected a different view.



Politesub53 -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 4:13:25 PM)

No worries RL, i was replying to This comment :

" Labor should campaign on getting rid of that stupid tax. It would make them immensely popular. "

And pointed out there were worse taxes to worry about. Were else could you watch John Terry save his country for free :)



RealityLicks -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 4:15:41 PM)

Precisely.  The nation needs a support system for former thugs. [;)]



Alumbrado -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 6:27:02 PM)

OK, so do you have to pay the license if you don't even own a TV, or not?

quote:

Allegedly, the database has every address in the country in it, and allegedly they then target all those addresses without a licence according to the database, on the notion that everyone has a TV or other equipment for which a licence is required.



quote:

If the TV licensing authority knock on your door these days it is because you either have a black and white licence or you are not on the database.



I'm getting conflicting impressions from some of the comments here.



kittinSol -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 8:52:58 PM)

No, a television licence is payable by people who own a television, not by those that are boxless. That's why it's called a licence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_license



Alumbrado -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 8:55:55 PM)

quote:

Blind people get a 50% discount on their licence


You have got to be freakin' kidding me...




kittinSol -> RE: TV licensing - "its all in the data base" (5/28/2008 8:59:01 PM)

Only if they're in possession of an audio only receiver (whatever that is). Otherwise, they pay the full whack.



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