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Quick comment on Rolf's post.


With this decision the BBC have effectively killed-off the licence fee.  There is no way a locally residing Brit is going to cough-up the licence fee - when half of europe can receive eight BBC TV channels for free.  


Now, my continuing Rant.


Since 'Black Wednesday' not a single party (BBC, BSKYB, GOVT, SES-ASTRA, Major Film Distributor’s, or, even RTE) have commented further on these bird-hopping shenanigan's.


I am formulating the nicest possible letter to all those above; because I don't believe for one moment that BBC have thought about what they are doing: save for the grandiose announcement made by Greg Dyke (who (sic) has been mis-informed that you will still be able to use BBCi on, say, a Nokia MM9800).


The BBC must not be allowed to blow holes in EU legislature, mess up future rights negotiations (which will inevitably be more expensive), the TWF directive, ignore competition concerns of cross border broadcaster's and transmit beyond the UK signals from the world's most well-known and (debatable) the world's best broadcaster.


I hope that all ex-pats who currently pay (as I do) to watch BBC channels will express their concerns to all parties that might affect change in this case.


Mark's ever-so-simple math's lesson (not too many mistakes I hope):


WITH ENCRYPTION:


GBP 17 million (EPG/Encryption) / 6.8 million (min) SKY subscriber's = GBP 2.50 per viewer per year (includes one-off and replaceable card and free P+P).


a. Ensures cheaper right's for content (due to controlled borders).

b. Better National Border control (through encryption).

c. Licence Fee control (no  pay - no watch).

d. Allows for paid-up clever ex-pats to have a reminder of the UK.

e. Enables local right's control (Scots and Welsh footy for one).


WITHOUT ENCRYPTION:


GBP 30K (for EPG only) / 6.8 million subs (as above) = 0.004 Pence per viewer per year.


a. No quantifiable border controls.

b. Ensure higher right's negotiations.

c. Local and cross-border competition concerns.

d. FTA viewing for non-licence fee payer's across western and middle europe (why pay for your licence).

e. Loss of signal to paid-up ex-pats in wider europe.

f. Local Right's Issues become irrelevant (e.g. no extra income for Scots and Welsh football)

g. Continued use of SKY digibox technologies without realistic contributions to development (i.e. the BBC taking the p*ss).

h. Extra carriage costs incurred by extension to channels transmitted (4 - 5 tps in total.  Current, 3 tps)

i. Bogus investment in BBC local regions and Nations.


Do you still believe this is a good idea?  Are they going to pour this 'saved' money into programmes?  And what about Johnny Foreigner being able to watch for free - while you have to pay (something to stir-up a Brit for sure)? 


One hopes that the BBC shuts up, pays up and stays put.


Regards,


Mark.


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