BBC Red Button Service

So the BBC is scrapping their Red Button service.

They say it's due to cost efficiency, surely there are better ways of saving money.

Do they not realise that a lot of people use this service as a source of news both local and national/international, entertainment news, sport and weather.

That is besides the times such as when Wimbledon is on and it provides extra viewing channels.

They really have to re-think this latest harebrained scheme.

 

Its all a con by the bbc. They are in a huff because they arent allowed to raise the tv licence fee right now. They first threatened to close radio6 as vengence but this was unpopular with the chattering classes in london so they backed down.

Then they announced they will close bbc3 and as it mainly caters for a young market and as they dont like the young they will be closing it.

Now they think if they close the red button service they willbe able to go on and get the government to close the loophole that allows people to watch bbc iplayer etc without needing to buy a licence.

Ive faithfully paid mine for the last 20 years not missing a month but am now seriously considering opting out of it.

I never watch it because all thats on is poor quality programming such as hours and hours of cooking and antique programmes.

If they wanted the could bring in a pay per view system which would be fairer but they wont because they are lazy and on to a good thing anyway.

By the way the directors regularly award themselves 600k salaries and additional bonuses.

 

That explains why they have two channels dedicated to the young audience, as well as a dedicated website for the kids with loads of educational games (and some plain silly games).

 

Its just the BBC chucking its toys out the pram.

Hoping to get the public to blame the government.

The BBC needs to take a good look at itself and actually start working for the money it gets, rather than just waiting for the money to roll in.

If we could have a TV that didn't receive the BBC, and thereby avoid paying the licence fee, I just wonder how many of us would be using that option.

 

I wasnt refering to their childrens programmes and cbbees (have not got a clue how you spell that one) I meant from teenagers up to young adults.
If your very young,a mum,or very old the bbc is probably your favourite channel. If you need your mind stimulted with something other than ballroom dancing,antique and cooking programmes you need to go elsewhere or you would just end up a gibbering drouling jelly.

 

Like itv, with Jeremy Kyle.

 

Hi Wee Tam,
Sorry but I have to disagree with you. The BBC produces excellent drama and wildlife programmes across it's network, history and music on BBC4.
As for antique programmes there is only one which is shown on a regular basis ( Bargain Hunt ), the others are just used as fillers in much the same way ITV uses endless Jeremy Kyle repeats etc.
Cooking programmes again,
there is one regular which is shown on a Saturday morning.

 

I don't use the red button, so i wouldn't miss it, anyway i just like the repeats of the repeats of the repeats of the repeats

 

Sorry AR Ive got to disagree with that. Mon-Fri bbc1/2 lunchtime bargain hunts, afternoon bbc2 various antique programmes eg "Put your money where your money is" antiques hunt etc etc etc etc .
And as for cooking yes sat morning for hours on end . During the week bbc2 nearly every day cooking programmes then we have bake off celebrity chefs master chefs etc etc etc on prime time bbc1.
Wheres the sports ? People need to be encouraged to get out and excercise (olympic legacy the bbc kept on bleeting about ) and not just sitting in looking at people cooking.

 

Well looks as tho I'm going to have to get Sky and pay through the nose for Football which is the only sport I detest and is the main reason why you have to pay massive subscriptions for if you want the sports channels. With The Open Golf gone, no horse racing (get on C4 tho) and now the likelihood of the red button service going sport fans are NOT really being well catered for by the BBC any longer. We use the red button service extensively to view the less popular sports during the Olympics as an example and use it when non mainstream sports are being offered (the likes of Badminton and Burghley). Agree with Wee Tam, I'm sick unto death with cooking programmes and I do actually cook from scratch (in the process of making Carrot and Parsnip soup with my own produce). I still see the supermarket shelves stacked high with ready meals so what the .... is the point of them? Nice easy to screen, cheap TV is what I think is the main reason for them and much of the other drivel offered. You don't need a great camera man to follow a wooden spoon being used, following a golf ball having been driven while perched high up on a crane is a little trickier and a lot more costly!

 

I love the BBC. Their dramas are fantastic i have really enjoyed doctor foster, river, cuffs, peaky blinders, luther etc etc

fridays nights are only good on tv because of the bbc i love have i got news for you, graham norton, would i lie to you etc (altho the returned on more four is also good on fridays)

also love QI and mock the week

The bbc gives us loads. I have personally never ever used the redbutton service but I am saddened that BBC Three will be becoming an online only channel because i really enjoy all its documentaries they are brilliant. Absolutely loved reggie yates's extreme russia and their race series and at the moment their gender series

 

Why is it the people who use and enjoy the bbc insist on everyone else having to pay for it even if they dont want or use it ?

The technology is out there to make it a subscription service but this is ignored and everyone is forced to pay for it and if you refuse you go to jail for this "crime"

They could launch their own film/sport/arts/gardening channels if they introduced a subscription service.

But no,its easier to carry on with a unique system no one else in the world uses now that allows them to pay thousands of middle managers salaries greater than the prime ministers and continue to threaten and jail people for not wanting their output. ?
I`ll leave it that.

 

I use and enjoy a few of the BBC programs and services.

I don't insist that anyone else paysfor it. In fact, I couldn't give a monkeys whether people pay for it, or not. It's their choice.

One thing I do disagree with is the flat fee. In our house, we use two of their websites, several of their tv channels, and iPlayer. My mam only uses the regular telly channels, yet she pays the same license as us.

The BBC is excellent, especially at this time of year. The license fee is like a cheap insurance policy when you have kids. It's insurance against being persuaded to spend thousands of pounds a year on all the utter rubbish that gets advertised mid way through each kids program on the other channels.