The recent BBC post about encrypting broadcasts has angered me. The DRM encryption is just insult to injury.
Given the choice I wouldn’t pay the license fee. Not because I have an inherent problem with it, but because it’s only the BBC that benefit from it. Purely because in the UK they don’t utilise advertising revenues to generate cash – unlike every other broadcaster across the world (other than PBS) I have to support this company? It’s not publicly owned, I have no democratic power to exercise over content, and yet I’m mandated to support them financially? The bailing out of RBS I can understand, because the investment might be returned, but the BBC just consumes....
Even though the BBC hosts 7 TV channels, countless radio stations and the iPlayer I don’t use their content. I can’t remember the last time a BBC show was actually worth watching, the only content I consume is PM on Radio 4. I wonder how much the BeeB could charge me just for that usage?
What I resent is being forced to pay for a service I don’t use. For me it’s like being directed to contribute to my neighbour’s car payments. Sorry – why am I forking out for this? I have no use of the car, and yet I’m backing it financially?
There’s no freedom of choice, it’s just forced down your throat with the threat of “pay it or else”.
Actually now it’s starting to remind me of Gordon Brown being in power....or the banking bailouts....or the Iraq war.....or GW Bush “winning” the 2001 election....
Damnit.
T