New Poll Suggests BBC Programming Has Lost Some of Its Luster; Argument For Continued License Fee Will Be More Difficult

A new poll carried out for the MediaGuardian suggests that many people do not support the present BBC licensing fee, finding it not “good value” for the money. While 41% agree that it is an “appropriate” way to pay for the network (meaning a whopping 59% don’t or aren’t certain), 47% think it isn’t a good buy, and 41% told pollsters they thought the programming wasn’t all that unique. The BBC is currently arguing that it needs continued public support in order to be more innovative and to bring quality programs to the British viewing public. Read more here. Here’s an explanation of the BBC license fee. Anyone who wants to own a TV in Britain must pay it; it’s £139.50 for a color set, £47 for a black and white set, free to anyone over 75 years of age, and half price for the blind. Meanwhile, discussions about reallocations of license fee monies are ramping up; see here.