Well, good thing I didn't buy a tv tuner

[guanin]

Can someone please explain to me what the hell is up with this tv license thing and how the hell did it became legal in the first place!? There is no way this thing would ever pass in Puerto Rico. Half the population wouldn't be able to afford it (it's 139.50, by the way). You know, this is why people steal cable. On the other hand, now that comment on Doctor Who makes sense. And why is it that every official paper in this country insists on threatening me? This TV Licensing company sent a letter to every student at the dorm and I swear it sounds exactly like the application for the student visa. The gist: if you step one toe out of line even if you're not aware that you’re doing it, you're screwed. Well, I don't have a tv or a tv tuner or a fancy phone with tv. So shove it. Just goes to prove that no matter where I go, I'm always going to be disgusted by the authorities.

ETA: Here's a site on TV License Resistance I found interesting. Most of the pages are empty, but the forums's got stuff. And another on the bullying of the TV Licensing pushers.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/midnightdream__/]

WTF, a license... for being able to watch TV? That is nuts.

[guanin.livejournal.com]

YES! It's ridiculous. TV is one of those basic, elemental FREE things. Like the radio (oh, and I saw something about a radio license as I was looking up info on this insanity). Apparently, it's to fund the BBC, as if they couldn't get other sources of revenue like everyone else.

[http://users.livejournal.com/midnightdream__/]

That is quite possibly the weirdest thing I have heard in a long time.

[guanin.livejournal.com]

It's bizarre and infuriating. I still can't believe something like this exists. And apparently it's been around since 1946. As I was googling, I found a couple of resistance websites, one with guidelines about how to boycott it and screw the system. I don't care how great the BBC is. If they want to charge people for watching, then they should become like HBO and let people watch other programming for free. Because this fee applies for watching any channel at all, even if you never touch the BBC.

[http://users.livejournal.com/midnightdream__/]

How greedy of them. I personally hate that HBO is all exclusive and shit, I'm mostly glad I don't watch anything from them because of that.

With the BBC, I do love them because a lot of my favourite shows play on it, but geezus, I had no idea they did this! I have to download everything as I'm not even in the UK so I've never gotten it.

I will totally help you with any shows you still wanted to watch! I have... my sources ;) I'll get you any links to downloads you need.

[guanin.livejournal.com]

I hate that about HBO, too, but they do have the best shows I've ever seen (The Wire, Deadwood). I actually stopped watching regular network television for a couple of years because HBO spoiled me. The difference in quality is amazing since they don't depend on advertisers who object to whatever petty things their puritan minds are offended by.

I love BBC programming, but now that I know this, be assured that I'll never watch something of theirs live. I was this close from buying a TV tuner to finally catch up on all these shows I'm missing out on, but decided against it so I wouldn't be glued to it like back home. Now I'm so glad I didn't throw away my money, because there's no way I would pay this. On top of that, teh company that collects the fees feels it has the right to go to your house, search the premises if they think you're lying about not having a TV or watching broadcasts if you have it to watch DVDs, and threatens you. They officially say they don't, but that just means that they do. The letter I got today is two pages of threats. Oh, and the fine for not paying is 1,000 pounds.

Downloads are definitely teh way to go. It's the only way I have of watching anything since I don't have a television (thank god), but now I'd do it on principle. Any links would be much appreciated, thanks! I'm afraid I haven't payed much attention to the BBC of late, so I only have a sketchy idea about what is going on.

[cyberscribbles.livejournal.com]

They can't just come in and search your house.

The letters are heavy handed and really put my hackles up as well but they never go further than that without proof. I've never known anyone to be falsely fined.

And trust me if they entered someone's house without permission it wouldn't just be the Daily Mail that had a field day.

[drakochi.livejournal.com]

Wait, wait, wait, WHAT! Like the license is to watch TV? Like normal TV or cable TV? Or that doesn't exist in UK?

I mean here if a person doesn't have cable or satellite, they have the basic 7-10 channels that they can watch. Then cable or sateillite for minimum 40$. That is weird.

Here goes culture shock if I come to visit UK XD.
And what Doctor Who comment?

[guanin.livejournal.com]

Normal TV. Any live broadcast. And of course, cable is extra.

Yes, exactly. The same basic channels that my grandmother watches because paying for cable isn't even conceivable for her. It's such a basic thing.

In "Bad Wolf", when that girl the Doctor met at the Big Brother house asked him why he didn't know about the reality shows, he said "I don't pay for my license." Every time I watched that part, I went, "What license? Why would you need a license? It's TV."

[cyberscribbles.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised the anti-TV liscense pages are pretty empty, most people support it. The only thing they ever bitch over the the TV Licensing letters - which is fair enough, they just blanket mail students - and occasionaly the price if there's an increase.

The TV License pays for the BBC - it funds everything from the BBC News to Top Gear to Doctor Who. It makes it accountable and add free.

Though the introduction to the concept through the TVLicense letters is probably not the best way to go...

[guanin.livejournal.com]

See, I'm having major culture clash issues with this and not just because TV is one of those wonderful things that entertains you for free. I get the notion of superior, ad-free programming that you have to pay for. That's HBO and Showtime in the US, which most people, including me, do consider to be a bit too expensive, but considering the quality of their programming (I'm a huge fan of these channels), I have no problem paying for them (provided I have the money, of course). But those are Premium channels. They're not even part of the regular cable package (and don't get me started on how ridiculous it is that there are private companies charging for channels that are as ad-ridden as the basic ones). But the basic channels (NBC, CBS, Univisión, etc.) are precisely that: basic. Yes te ads are annoying as hell and I hate how much of a stranglehold the advertisers have over the shows, but if it keeps them free, then it's a necessary evil. But if you want to fund yourself through people's money, then do the HBO thing and become a separate service that people have to pay to get and leave other channels free for people of low means to watch.

It's not just the irritating tone of the TV Licensing letter that has me mad. Even if this had been announced in the most polite way ever, I'd still be offended by the fact that you need permission from the government to watch television. I've had enough of American governments devising schemes that benefit themselves and companies while taking away money and revenues from regular people, a huge amount of who end up getting fined or imprisoned because they can't afford to go along with the new law. If this thing existed in Puerto Rico (not that it ever could as any politician who brought it up would be committing instant career suicide), a huge amount of the population would end up becoming "criminals" just because they couldn't pay up. My grandmother wouldn't be able to watch television.

Coming from a third world country, I notice that many people in the first world take for granted things that are either rare or unexistent in Latin America. It's not surprising, but when people assume that "most" people can afford certain not so affordable things, it rankles at me.

[cyberscribbles.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can imagine. See for me how the TV is done in the US, or what I know of how it's done, is very weird. It's all privately owned and so stunningly bias it hurts my brain.

I guess it must seem weird at first - probably is - but it's just kinda normal when you grow up with it.

I'd still be offended by the fact that you need permission from the government to watch television. I've had enough of American governments devising schemes that benefit themselves and companies while taking away money and revenues from regular people

Slight thing but: You don't need government permission to watch, you need to contribute to the BBC if you own a TV capable of recieving BBC services.

I don't think its for the benefit of the government or any company.

The BBC has a reputation for being unbias, reliable, it's free of political influence and corporate sponsorship. It has a national charter that it has to stick to and provide programs of all different types that no privately owned company would touch.

Massive earners like Doctor Who don't line the pockets of politicians or board members, it gets channeled directly to fund stuff that makes losses - Open University instruction courses, gaelic language programs, and until very recently - sheepdog trial coverage!

If this thing existed in Puerto Rico...a huge amount of the population would end up becoming "criminals" just because they couldn't pay up.

True, and I get what you're saying here but like you say there's a big cultural and economic difference there.

The TV License is calibrated to avoid that kind of situation - if you're working it's no problem, even if you're on the dole it's possible to pay for it. If you're elderly or disabled you get reductions or even get it free.

[guanin.livejournal.com]

The bias is annoying, but that's another reason I tend to ignore the networks and stick to HBO. It is a private company, but since it doesn't depend on advertisers it can do whatever it wants and has extremely high standards, including shows that wouldn't be conceivable in the regular networks. The premium channels are the elite of US television. Bill Maher, a political comedian, got fired from a network show for saying the wrong thing. Now he's on HBO. But again, that's not the basic channel. Then again, if you have to pay the BBC, then it is a premium channel.

But aren't all TVs capable of getting the BBC? Or are there special ones designed to get every channel except the BBC ones?

I've realized that no matter where I go, there's always going to be some things I don't like. Unfortunately, this includes Puerto Rico, which is why I left.

[cyberscribbles.livejournal.com]

Or are there special ones designed to get every channel except the BBC ones?

Nope, but I think if you've disabled the TV so that it can't actually recieve T.V. and can just play DVD's or computer games then technically you're okay. I think.

I have to admitt I have a bias though, I'm very fond of the BBC.

I've realized that no matter where I go, there's always going to be some things I don't like. Unfortunately, this includes Puerto Rico, which is why I left.

Such is life my friend :)

Why was it you left? If you don't mind my asking.

[guanin.livejournal.com]

So unless you pay the BBC, you can't watch any other channels. That's what I'm complaining about. It's either pay one channel or don't get any at all. If it were a separate service, one wouldn't have that problem. And this does look to me like this law got passed because the BBC had inside connections with the government or paid someone off or something. It's not just in Latin America where these things happen, yet in the US at least, people are always surprised. Else I don't see how it could happen because it screws everyone else and essentially allows them to monopolize the market even if they're not the only channel around.

I need to roam. Plus, the whole urban planning is a disaster, you need a car to go anywhere, the heat is unbearable, the economy is completely dependent on a country that doesn't remember we exist except when thet want to use us as their piggy bank, the government is an embarrassment (for two consecutive elections, my dad said there was no one worth voting for), and most people are really small-minded/isolated from the rest of the world. Oh, and they put in a sales tax of 7% two years ago, which they're going to raise. I know that sounds cheap by UK standards, but unlike here, they don't actually use it properly. None of the improvements they promised have happened. It's money in politicians' pockets. There's a reason Latinos are so cynical about the government.