The license fee isn’t compulsory either. The criminal record would only be earned if you watched in ways which require a license but you don’t have one.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

It's compulsory to watch any live programme on any channel or streaming service. Make it voluntary and see how many people think it's a good deal.

You apparently don't need one for on demand content on Netflix so that could be a decent option for some.

It’s the same argument plus another!

The license is not just for the BBC! It’s for all live TV but intended to fund our national broadcaster in a fair way that keeps it away from political influence.

Maybe you don’t believe that is a worthwhile compromise. I do.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

It only really funds the BBC though doesn't it? I do appreciate their role and purpose, but at the same time nowsadays are they significantly different to the likes of ITV? And such of the type of content that was heralded years back, such as the nature programmes, can now be found on Netflix and elsewhere. There's an argument to be made for their news output, but even with that they are somewhat beholden to political tides. As a balance i'd be more inclinded to support a slimmed down BBC.

Enforement wise I wish they would basically just say if you watch BBC you have to pay for it. Shifting the goalposts to it being live TV doesn't seem to be particularly reasonable. I've known a few people to genuinely ditch live TV and they still get checked on every year or so, to make sense they're being honest. It's a bit too bully boy for my liking, especially in tough times like this where every penny can count.

Joining this late in the day, my position is I think the BBC is way better value than Netflix for example. I regularly use the BBC website, R4, R5, BBC Local Radio, BBC2, BBC4 and the Iplayer.

Yes BBC telly is full of repeats and perhaps there are economies that could be made. However I think overall it's fantastic value and remains the envy of much of the world. Best of all it is politically independent. Which upsets the party in power no matter what the colour. No bad thing.

I have now sufficient funds to last me the rest of my life. Provided I don't buy anything.