Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

I don't have the figures, PB. I'm a bit surprised that you are querying this though as there have been well publicised reports about this.

Conservative backbenchers are one example!

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

IIRC the number who don't pay the TV licence is about 2.5 million.

As for streaming and catchup services:

Linky

Mind you that doesn't answer the question of how many would not pay if there was no compuction to do so.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Then Why on earth make the claim, which you have done more than once?

Are you so well off that it doesn't matter to you if it does work out more expensive?

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

I don't think we need to put full justifications to all our posts, supported by statistics and extensive research, PB, but as I like you, here's one set of data you might like to ponder. A Google search will provide so much more!

http://www.cityam.com/1404708698/mor...ee-be-scrapped

Just over half the public believes the TV licence fee should be scrapped and the BBC forced to find new ways to fund itself, according to a poll published yesterday.

The broadcaster should generate income from advertising rather than relying on taxes or higher licence fee funds, the findings suggest.

The ComRes survey of 2,049 people found that 51 per cent supported the idea of the BBC funding itself – even if that meant it became a more commercial organisation and ploughed less money into programming.

About one-third of those asked opposed this idea, while a further 15 per cent said they “don’t know”, according to the poll commissioned by the Whitehouse Consultancy.

The results, come as ministers and BBC executives prepare for the government’s review of the broadcaster’s charter in 2016.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid indicated in May that he was prepared to be radical in reconsidering the BBC’s funding, telling the Telegraph that many families found the current £145.50 licence fee “a lot of money” to pay each year.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Of course you do if you make blanket assertions of the nature you have done regarding the BBC licence fee. (Oh how we miss Carl Waring at times like this ;))

Still, you have now done that. Well done.

Now all we need is your cost analysis to prove it won't cost anymore than it does now!

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

If as some maintain the BBC is so wonderful then the majority of the current license payers and probably a few who don't pay now but want to watch it will take out subscription and the revenue raised will not change much. However if the BBC isn't so wonderful....

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

I think Stirling Castle is wonderful, but the only time I go is when Historic Scotland does its annual free access day. ;)

People's relationship with the things they enjoy is always complicated when they are presented with an explicit cost.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Yes, people always love "Market Economics", unless, of course, a "torrent" is involved........ ;)

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

That article is based on what Netflix, a company arguably with a vested interest in ensuring that broadcast television ends, is saying..
Actually, I sort of agree with you. Regarding the value of the BBC, they do contribute a massive amount to the education of the country whether it is making programmes and websites to educate people or even running training courses to educate people hoping to enter the media industries.

---------- Post added at 16:43 ---------- Previous post was at 16:37 ----------

It's likely that a lot of the commercial channels (possibly including ITV) will fold if this happens.

My proof? Simple economics. Supply Vs Demand. Advertising budgets are finite, and already stretched. As such, if supply goes up (as it would massively if the BBC started advertising), the price of space on the air would plummet marketwide. This would threaten commercial TV.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Ofcom in 2010 found that of Sky's £20 base pack, only £3pm made its way to programming. The rest is spent on equipment, marketing, service charges and administration, etc. Making the TV licence optional will greatly increase its cost, or reduce the anount spent on programming, as the Sky example shows.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Which is why, in addition to a minimum £20 per month (the TV licence is a little over £12 a month), Sky customers have to sit through about 15 minutes of adverts per hour.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

I will reply to your response a little later, when I have had something to eat and drink - just finished work.

Here is one opinion poll by one of the biggest in the land OB.

I hope it comes out correctly, am not on the laptop.

https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchp...px?keyword=BBC

Even if the license fee is abolished, people will still argue about the best way to fund it.

It should be left relatively unchanged. Yes, the price can be reduced, but it should not be abolished. This tax is no more unfair than any other tax we pay.

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Some interesting reading material here about linear and VOD TV predictions.

http://www.rapidtvnews.com/201412153...#axzz3T4AgokgX

http://www.rapidtvnews.com/201412103...#axzz3T4AgokgX

http://www.rapidtvnews.com/201412153...#axzz3T4AgokgX

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

Yes, thank you Richard. This really confirms what I have been thinking. The fast pace of change will lead to fewer people watching broadcast TV in favour of VOD and video streaming. Inevitably, this will lead to the demise of most linear channels because there will be insufficient income flowing from advertising as a result due to fewer people watching TV in the conventional way.

The big problem for broadcasters is how will the new model be funded, but they really should have thought about this before throwing in their lot with video on demand, which is where this all started!

Re: The future for linear TV channels
 

It's also a big problem with viewers, because if an appropriate funding model isn't realised, we end up with reality TV and shopping channels....