The BBC is a much-loved institution. Whenever politicians propose changes to the BBC, people get hysterical about the supposed damage the supposed wrecking will do. This happens even when the politicians involved aren't Tories.
The BBC is better value for money than the pay TV channels, because the pay TV channels can't force people to pay for their product. If the BBC channels went subscription-only, the price would be higher than it is now.
The BBC doesn't carry advertising. Lots of people like watching TV without being interrupted by adverts. And the free commercial channels like not having the increased competition for TV advertising space.
The licence fee / TV tax is also far from universally admired, but as the alternatives are also flawed and it's the status quo, it endures.
I'd prefer it if it was based on ability to pay, but (a) that would make it more expensive to collect and more time consuming to pay; and (b) there is a danger that if it was collected by the Revenue, that would be a step along the road towards the BBC losing editorial independence.
What about a donation system? Like some channels here in the US have. That way, those who do like the service can pay and those who don't are free of the tax. Do you see that system working as an alternative to the BBC License fee?
The BBC is better value for money than the pay TV channels, because the pay TV channels can't force people to pay for their product. If the BBC channels went subscription-only, the price would be higher than it is now.
The BBC doesn't carry advertising. Lots of people like watching TV without being interrupted by adverts. And the free commercial channels like not having the increased competition for TV advertising space.
The licence fee / TV tax is also far from universally admired, but as the alternatives are also flawed and it's the status quo, it endures.
I'd prefer it if it was based on ability to pay, but (a) that would make it more expensive to collect and more time consuming to pay; and (b) there is a danger that if it was collected by the Revenue, that would be a step along the road towards the BBC losing editorial independence.