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The BBC Funded by Subscription or Advertising?

(101 Posts)
CabbageWars13 Wed 17-Dec-25 00:29:29

Negotiations on the BBC Charter renewal have thrown the real possibility of allowing adverts or subscriptions into the mix.

Nice to know this institution may actually become as mindlessly inane as commercial channels, with sponsors dictating the agenda of what we may be allowed to watch.

Rather like the American model.

Yes, for sure I will delight in watching the celebrated Amanda Holden prancing about playing Lady Deadlock in a commercially sponsored version of Bleak House with as many advertising breaks as can be stuffed in........

Oreo Mon 05-Jan-26 18:59:53

Crossstitchfan

I wonder how many viewers record everything they plan to watch each day so they can flip through the ads? I have asked friends and family about that and can’t find anyone who doesn’t do just that. No-one is interested in the ads, and some that are mentioned are only seen because no-one has been bothered to fast-forward them!
It begs the question- how many adverts are actually watched? If my experience is anything to go by, not many. So how are the advertisers making money, I wonder?

That’s a good point, nobody I know watches adverts.

Cumbrianmale56 Mon 05-Jan-26 18:01:40

Crossstitchfan

That made me chuckle! Meh indeed! 😂

Or I could have been more intelligent and said mediocre.

Crossstitchfan Mon 05-Jan-26 17:30:24

That made me chuckle! Meh indeed! 😂

Cumbrianmale56 Mon 05-Jan-26 16:29:07

Crossstitchfan

You’re spot on about Bob Monkhouse. Compare him with Mulhern and you’ll find there IS no comparison. The standard of all presenters, newsreaders and similar has gone downhill over the last few years and there is very little professionalism now. It’s as though no-one cares.

Thankyou, Bob Monkhouse was also a decent actor and hosted a chat show for several years and a successful revival of Opportunity Knocks. He was top of his game for 50 years and was of that era of presenters like Bruce Forsyth who could do anything and were well loved by audiences.
Obviously Stephen Mulhern is in a different era where there are so many more choices and 17 million people don't tune into a game show every week. However, he strikes me as someone who seems limited in what he can do and is meh at best.

Sadgrandma Mon 05-Jan-26 09:58:44

The BBC licence fee works out at 14.59 per month. How does that compare to Netflix and other streaming channels and how does the content compare? I only have Amazon Prime which does have some good films but not much else of interest to us. However, it pays for itself in free parcel delivery.
We have a recording box that wasn’t cheap to buy but does enable us to record programmes and fast forward through adverts. I, personally tend to watch lots of programmes on IPlayer, especially series that I missed first time round or, given my age, I’ve forgotten!
I do object to so many repeats on BBC though as they are usually quite recent programmes.

MayBee70 Sun 04-Jan-26 23:42:38

I can’t record things so I end up watching lots of adverts if I’m not watching BBC. I have a Humax box but it fills up very quickly. I don’t really plan what I’m going to watch and often end up watching things on catchup that I’ve only just heard about ( eg Trespasses made me want to watch Say Nothing and then the dishy actor in Tresspasses made me want to watch Becoming Elizabeth because he is in it). So the advertisers do well out of me. Ot at least they would if I bought anything I saw advertised on tv which I don’t think is the case; most of my purchases are from things I see on Facebook or instagram. I don’t think I’ve ever bought anything I’ve seen advertised on utube either.

Crossstitchfan Sun 04-Jan-26 22:54:28

I wonder how many viewers record everything they plan to watch each day so they can flip through the ads? I have asked friends and family about that and can’t find anyone who doesn’t do just that. No-one is interested in the ads, and some that are mentioned are only seen because no-one has been bothered to fast-forward them!
It begs the question- how many adverts are actually watched? If my experience is anything to go by, not many. So how are the advertisers making money, I wonder?

Crossstitchfan Sun 04-Jan-26 22:46:29

You’re spot on about Bob Monkhouse. Compare him with Mulhern and you’ll find there IS no comparison. The standard of all presenters, newsreaders and similar has gone downhill over the last few years and there is very little professionalism now. It’s as though no-one cares.

Cumbrianmale56 Sun 04-Jan-26 18:24:37

Crossstitchfan

Well, even if I had ever liked ‘Deal or no deal’, which I didn’t, I certainly wouldn’t watch it now. Mulhern gives me the creeps and the shivers! Can’t stomach him for even a minute!

The best game show host ever would be Bob Monkhouse, whose rapid fire humour, putting contestants at ease and professionalism will never be matched. Everything from The Golden Shot to his hosting of the lottery draw was well worth watching. Mulhern isn't in the same league.

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 20:19:55

I’ve spent months trying to avoid a TKR with my bad knee
Go for it Maybee
It may not seem worth it at the time but it is, it just takes time and exercise.

MayBee70 Sat 27-Dec-25 18:18:15

Mollygo

Good luck with your standing on one leg challenge Allira. My FB is constantly littered with
^Getting your limbs moving, following a routine in time to the music is good for your body and your brain.
I have Wellerman on the brain.
www.tiktok.com/@creadiaz/video/7540790180614049046

I’ve spent months trying to avoid a TKR with my bad knee. And it was feeling a lot better after all the physio etc. However I added a few balance exercises to my knee exercises, one of which was standing on my bad knee first 30 seconds and my knee is now as bad as it’s ever been sad.

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 16:47:48

Mollygo

Good luck with your standing on one leg challenge Allira. My FB is constantly littered with
^Getting your limbs moving, following a routine in time to the music is good for your body and your brain.
I have Wellerman on the brain.
www.tiktok.com/@creadiaz/video/7540790180614049046

Unfortunately I fell and am now under the bar in the Argy, helping the Admiral with his rum ration.

Mollygo Sat 27-Dec-25 16:03:29

Good luck with your standing on one leg challenge Allira. My FB is constantly littered with
^Getting your limbs moving, following a routine in time to the music is good for your body and your brain.
I have Wellerman on the brain.
www.tiktok.com/@creadiaz/video/7540790180614049046

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 14:21:29

Crossstitchfan

Well, even if I had ever liked ‘Deal or no deal’, which I didn’t, I certainly wouldn’t watch it now. Mulhern gives me the creeps and the shivers! Can’t stomach him for even a minute!

I'm the opposite.

If someone tells me it's just for sedentary women who sit in front of tat like Deal Or No Deal, and click away on their bingo games during the breaks I'd watch it even though I've never seen it before.
So there!

Could someone explain to me how to play Bingo first, though, please?

Crossstitchfan Sat 27-Dec-25 14:12:56

Well, even if I had ever liked ‘Deal or no deal’, which I didn’t, I certainly wouldn’t watch it now. Mulhern gives me the creeps and the shivers! Can’t stomach him for even a minute!

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 12:44:37

If it's a day-time programme, is it not logical that, generally speaking, the audience would be the older demographic as most younger people will be out at work, college and school?

Practising standing on one leg.
I was never very good at the Tree in yoga.

Doodledog Sat 27-Dec-25 12:40:54

petra

Cumbrianmale
You’re very knowledgeable about programs you sneer at,would you not agree 🤔

People so often are, aren't they?

Google AI (rather than a quick glance at the ads on programmes we don't watch) doesn't mention 'sedentary women'. The search was 'What are the audience demographics for Deal or No Deal' and these are the results:

Deal or No Deal UK generally attracts a broad, family-friendly audience, with its classic game show format appealing across ages, but particularly drawing older viewers (40+) during its original Channel 4 run with Noel Edmonds, while the recent Stephen Mulhern revival aimed for a younger, modern fanbase, attracting a diverse mix from young adults to seniors who enjoy accessible, high-stakes entertainment, with strong family viewing potential.

*Key Audience Characteristics*:
*Broad Appeal*: The simple concept of choosing boxes with varying cash amounts, plus the emotional rollercoaster, makes it accessible and engaging for everyone from kids to grandparents.

*Loyal Viewers (Original Run)*: Under Noel Edmonds, it built a strong, older demographic, often seen as a comforting, staple daytime show, notes Reddit users.

*Shift with Mulhern*: The recent ITV revival with Stephen Mulhern aimed to modernize it, attracting fans of his other shows, potentially skewing slightly younger but still retaining core game show fans.

*Family Viewing*: Like many major game shows, it's a show families watch together, with parents and grandparents enjoying it alongside younger viewers.

*Contestants Reflect Audience*: The diverse backgrounds and ages of the contestants themselves (from 97-year-olds to younger adults) mirror the varied audience watching at home, notes Wikipedia.

*In essence, think of it as*: A classic, feel-good, accessible game show that brings together multiple generations, from loyal older fans to newer fans drawn in by modern hosts like Stephen Mulhern.

Galaxy Sat 27-Dec-25 12:37:12

Too lazy to even watch telegrin

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 12:35:58

Galaxy

Hope you are on the mend soon Allira.
I am currently sedentary as I am eating christmas dips and crispssmile

Are you watching Deal or no Deal? 😁
I thought that was Noel Edmonds but he's emigrated!

Thanks, mended I hope, but need to do my physio which I've neglected over Christmas.

petra Sat 27-Dec-25 12:28:55

Cumbrianmale
You’re very knowledgeable about programs you sneer at,would you not agree 🤔

Galaxy Sat 27-Dec-25 12:28:40

Hope you are on the mend soon Allira.
I am currently sedentary as I am eating christmas dips and crispssmile

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 12:19:13

Maybe saying sedentary women was the wrong thing.

Possibly. I thought I'd try standing and watching Deal or No Deal today, possibly trying standing on one leg then another, it might strengthen my mending fracture.
The physiotherapist will be impressed.

Allira Sat 27-Dec-25 12:15:53

Doodledog

Cumbrianmale56

Doodledog

ITV is aimed at whomever will buy the advertised products, which vary across programmes. BBC has to make shows for all parts of its demographic too. It’s a fallacy that the ‘standard’ is higher - the difference is that the BBC doesn’t have to keep on the right side of conglomerates, so still has more intellectual freedom than commercial channels.

ITV's main advertisers seem to be online bingos. I wonder if a large part of their audience are sedentary women who sit in front of tat like Deal Or No Deal, and click away on their bingo games during the breaks.

A very quick Google suggests that online gambling is not the main source of advertising revenue for ITV. I think more men than women gamble, though. Sedentary or otherwise. I don't know whether 'tat like Deal or No Deal' is watched by more men than women, but rude comments about women are hardly appropriate on a predominantly female site.

Goodness, what a judgemental post Cumbrianmale

Well said, Doodledog.

sedentary women would that aimed at older females who might not be as able as they once were?
As you mentioned Deal or No Deal, you obviously are more aware of its content than most of us.

Mollygo Sat 27-Dec-25 07:52:19

The Government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee. In November 2024 the Secretary of State announced that the Government would raise the licence fee by 2.9%, in line with annual CPI inflation, taking effect from 1 April 2025. This brings the cost of a colour licence fee to £174.50 per year and a black and white licence fee to £58.50 per year.

The Government decided that the licence fee would rise annually in line with inflation from 1 April 2024 for the remaining four years of the Charter period. The BBC’s current Charter runs until end 2027.

Cumbrianmale56 Fri 26-Dec-25 22:50:39

Doodledog

Cumbrianmale56

Doodledog

ITV is aimed at whomever will buy the advertised products, which vary across programmes. BBC has to make shows for all parts of its demographic too. It’s a fallacy that the ‘standard’ is higher - the difference is that the BBC doesn’t have to keep on the right side of conglomerates, so still has more intellectual freedom than commercial channels.

ITV's main advertisers seem to be online bingos. I wonder if a large part of their audience are sedentary women who sit in front of tat like Deal Or No Deal, and click away on their bingo games during the breaks.

A very quick Google suggests that online gambling is not the main source of advertising revenue for ITV. I think more men than women gamble, though. Sedentary or otherwise. I don't know whether 'tat like Deal or No Deal' is watched by more men than women, but rude comments about women are hardly appropriate on a predominantly female site.

Gambling on football is mostly a male thing, hence why football is shown so much on channels like Sky and shown at weird times like 8pm on Saturday nights. Both Sky and the gambling corporations know by showing this sport so much they can make huge amounts of money.
Online bingo, judging by the adverts, is mostly played by women. Daytime game shows often have bingo companies as sponsors as they assume the audience will often be women at home. Maybe saying sedentary women was the wrong thing.