How unique is the BBC?

[Blame]

There was some banter on another topic, (avaliable here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.227261-BBC-Unveils-Third-Doctor-Who-Game) about why people outside the UK are having to pay for the new Doctor Who games. The answer, of course, is because The British pay the license fee so these games could be made.

This got me thinking, how many other country's have a government supported central broadcasting company like the BBC? (I'm not talking propaganda, I'm talking proper television.) And for those of you in countries who do not have a BBC-like company, does the idea of one appeal to you?

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Fox News, cnn, CBS and I think NBC are all government controlled.

 

[verindae]

That's an interesting question. Of course you have to realise there are plenty of people here in the UK who would much prefer the BBC to fund itself through paid advertising and be done with the TV License for good.

Another interesting question, therefore, is how would that affect the BBC (if at all) or is the idea flawed in their case?

 

[DarthLurtz]

Fox News, cnn, CBS and I think NBC are all government controlled.

Where in the world do you get that idea?

 

[Exterminas]

We have something like that in germany but the public television here broadcasts mainly conservative bullshit and entertainment-programs for kids and old people. You don't get to see many blockbusters there, but sometimes they are good for an older holywood-movie.

Edit: They have that in austria too, where the program is generally better, with smarter shows and movies that aren't considered "timeless classics", but "new"

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Fox News, cnn, CBS and I think NBC are all government controlled.

Where in the world do you get that idea?

All news in America is controlled by the government.

 

[icyneesan]

CBC - The CANADIAN Broadcasting Corporation! Where the news broadcasters drink beer and play Hockey!

 

[Blame]

Fox News, cnn, CBS and I think NBC are all government controlled.

Where in the world do you get that idea?

All news in America is controlled by the government.

The government in America can't stop it's vice-presidents shooting lawyers with rifles, what makes you think they control the media?

 

[Ava Elzbieta]

There's nothing like paying for licenses in the U.S.: not as the BBC does it, at least. PBS is funded by private donations, HBO and its ilk take siphons from the monthly fees cable and satellite subscribers pay, but every other channel is primarily funded by advertisers. While we're quite used to stuffing hundred-dollar bills into the gaping maw of a cable or satellite provider each month, and with all the people who couldn't understand digital conversion despite 18 months of advertisements, we would neither want to nor understand why we're paying another company for our TV. TV is a way of life here. The average American watches more television than a TV-addict over the pond.

 

[Shilkanni]

Australia's ABC is government funded and is traditionally Australian content and BBC reruns

The BBC is imho pretty much unique in terms of it's credibility and international influence. It's obviously not perfect but continues to do decent reporting.

 

[no oneder]

Fox News, cnn, CBS and I think NBC are all government controlled.

I love it how you think you show us all your disrespect for CNN by not capitalizing it.

OT: I don't know how unique it may be, but I sure do love BBC Canada. It's like BBC, but in freakin' Canada!

 

[Blame]

That's an interesting question. Of course you have to realise there are plenty of people here in the UK who would much prefer the BBC to fund itself through paid advertising and be done with the TV License for good.

Another interesting question, therefore, is how would that affect the BBC (if at all) or is the idea flawed in their case?

I remember a story about Jeremy Clarkson when he was asked to make a version of 'Top Gear' in America for a cable network I cannot remember the name of. He was driving thisgod-awful dodge around a track and telling the camera exactly what he though of it. The network refused to air the episode, saying Dodge would pull thier advertising from thier channels if they did. Chrysler did not advertise on this channel, so he volunteered to test a car from Chrysler, which he also, (predictably,) hated. They refused to air that part too, saying if they did Chrysler would never advertise on thier channel, (or at least not for the forseeable future.)

I wouldn't want to watch a channel that cared about it's sponosers more than journalistic integrity. That's why I'm happy to pay the license fee, so the BBC can be free of all that. Even if it means my license fee went to fund 'Any Dream Will Do.' *shudder*

 

[mishagale]

There's an important difference between being the Beeb and other state-funded media outlets, and that's the additional administrative layer between the corporation and the government, i.e. the TV Licensing Agency and the BBC Trust. The Licensing Agency collect the licence fee direct from the public and give it straight to the corporation without the government seeing any of it. Hence the BBC is not financially dependent on either advertisers or the government. And the trust sets out what the BBC can and can't do with the BBC charter, which is up for review every 10 years (longer than most governments are in power) making it politically independent too. Of course, this is all in theory, in practice it's not always so great, but it's pretty good.

As far as I know, this system is unique in the world. And personally I think it's a damn good one. We've got plenty of ad-funded and subscription funded channels, but the BBC is there to set the bar. We might get a lot of dross (from all channels) but the BBC also puts out some real quality programmes, and programs serving niche audiences, and that sets a standard the other channels have to compete with. Case in point: The first version of iPlayer (BBC's TV on-demand service) used proprietary, windows specific technology. So did all the offerings from the other channels. But because the BBC was publicly funded, and obliged not to discriminate against certain viewers, they were forced to put out a flash version (which was at least cross-platform) and lo-and-behold, the other channels followed suit.

Yeah, if you haven't guessed, I quite like the BBC.

The government in America can't stop it's vice-presidents shooting lawyers with rifles, what makes you think they control the media?

Surely, the government must be able to stop people shooting lawyers with rifles, as evidenced by the fact that there are still lawyers.

 

[Trivun]

That's an interesting question. Of course you have to realise there are plenty of people here in the UK who would much prefer the BBC to fund itself through paid advertising and be done with the TV License for good.

Another interesting question, therefore, is how would that affect the BBC (if at all) or is the idea flawed in their case?

Hmmmm, as a Brit I'm perfectly happy with the TV License. It doesn't cost much at all, though admittedly I share the cost with my flatmates, but the price isn't very high and in return we get quality programming, advert-free, and plenty of awesome stuff like BBC iPlayer, multiple radio channels (gotta love Zane Lowe and Jo Whiley ), and unbiased, high quality news. For everything we get out of the BBC, I'm perfectly fine with paying a license for it .

Besides, if the BBC were to stop with the license, people would be happy at first, but then the BBC revenue would fall by a massive amount. And as soon as that happens, expect to see a lot more shit programming coming from the BBC, not to mention the end of some of the best stuff around, that costs a lot of money to produce (such as Doctor Who, Coast, The One Show, etc...).

 

[Blame]

The government in America can't stop it's vice-presidents shooting lawyers with rifles, what makes you think they control the media?

Surely, the government must be able to stop people shooting lawyers with rifles, as evidenced by the fact that there are still lawyers.

Tell that to the lawyer Dick Cheney shot. I know it was a while ago but dammit it was a lawyer and it's always good to see a corporate shark with 200 piece of buckshot in them.

He was fine, by the way. That means it's allowed to be funny.

 

[verindae]

That's an interesting question. Of course you have to realise there are plenty of people here in the UK who would much prefer the BBC to fund itself through paid advertising and be done with the TV License for good.

Another interesting question, therefore, is how would that affect the BBC (if at all) or is the idea flawed in their case?

I remember a story about Jeremy Clarkson when he was asked to make a version of 'Top Gear' in America for a cable network I cannot remember the name of. He was driving thisgod-awful dodge around a track and telling the camera exactly what he though of it. The network refused to air the episode, saying Dodge would pull thier advertising from thier channels if they did. Chrysler did not advertise on this channel, so he volunteered to test a car from Chrysler, which he also, (predictably,) hated. They refused to air that part too, saying if they did Chrysler would never advertise on thier channel, (or at least not for the forseeable future.)

I wouldn't want to watch a channel that cared about it's sponosers more than journalistic integrity. That's why I'm happy to pay the license fee, so the BBC can be free of all that. Even if it means my license fee went to fund 'Any Dream Will Do.' *shudder*

Yeah I can see your point there, the people with the money end up controlling the content which is rarely a good thing.

Incidentally I'd happily pay my license fee just for Top Gear, It's awesome, I was just curious as to what anyone else would care to say on it

 

[Blame]

Ireland has its own national broadcaster. RTE (Raidió Teilifís Éireann, literally "Radio and Television of Ireland). 2 channels. RTE 1 is more news and current affairs, RTE 2 is entertainment. Same with the radio channels.

Ahh RTE, for one brilliant summer when I stayed in Ireland I was able to watch live Hurling! Truly the best sport ever invented!

 

[Blame]

Incidentally I'd happily pay my license fee just for Top Gear, It's awesome, I was just curious as to what anyone else would care to say on it

Top Gear is a prime example of what the BBC can do when it finds a format that works. Sadly I do not see the showing going on for many more years. I can't see how they can up the ante from what they've already done.

Perhaps they could take a leaf out of the twlight espisodes of David Tennant's run as 'The Doctor'; one-off episodes spread out through the year. Perhaps more of thier trademark epic voyages on a budget, they're always the best episodes.

 

[Blame]

Incidentally I'd happily pay my license fee just for Top Gear, It's awesome, I was just curious as to what anyone else would care to say on it

Top Gear is a prime example of what the BBC can do when it finds a format that works. Sadly I do not see the showing going on for many more years. I can't see how they can up the ante from what they've already done.

Perhaps they could take a leaf out of the twlight espisodes of David Tennant's run as 'The Doctor'; one-off episodes spread out through the year. Perhaps more of thier trademark epic voyages on a budget, they're always the best episodes.

 

[Blame]

Whoops, double post. Many apologies.