Tim Fry wrote (see)

Ross has to go asap ,assassination perhaps.  The format of his show is so dated too. How come we he has grabbed a Film  slot as well. Aargh!!!

Partly prompted by this thread, and reminded by a notification of impending renewal, I decided to get rid of the quarterly charge scam.

So I rang the TVLA, and got through to their automated system, which told me that their office was closed, but then proceeded to ask if I wanted to be put through to an operator.  I accepted, only to eventually dawn that they really were closed, only the telephone system didn't understand...

So I rang back during the day, and went through the automated system again.  Since all I wanted to do was query/change my DD payment, I selected the 'Query DD payment' option.  Which wasn't a query at all, but was a way of setting up a DD payment.  And that stalled at the point where it demanded a telephone contact number, and, since they don't need one, and I don't want to give them one, I could get no further.

So I tried again, and this time went straight to the 'human' operator.  Having told him what I wanted to do, he then told me to ignore the letter I'd get that would ask why I'd cancelled my TV licence (I'm looking forward to that one), and that I'd get sent a new payment notification.

I then thought I'd be helpful and tell them about the stupid automated system, to which he responded "oh, don't bother with that; always ask for an operator".  When I pointed out that I don't have a need for regular telephonic contact with the TVLA, and that I was trying to improve their business processes, he said there was nothing he could do.  "Well, you could pass the suggestion on to your management", I said.  "There's no point; nothing will be done" was his reply...

Oh, and it's true; there's no automated option to say "bugger off, I don't have a TV, and I don't want a licence, so leave me alone".

Can't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I'll mention it again, just in case...

With the advent of digital TV, surely the TV license in its traditional form is no longer needed.  For example, with digital TV, if I want certain TV channels, I have to pay for them (at which point I assume you are given a PIN code or something to enter into your box which 'unscrambles' the signal).

So, rather than charge everyone that has 'receiving equipment', the BBC could simply offer themselves as a 'subscription' channel; you pay the equivalent of the TV License, and then you get access to all BBC TV channels.  And if you don't pay, you don't get 'em.  Surely that would be in everyone's favour; those that aren't interested in BBC channels need not pay, but watch other TV channels instead, and the BBC can rest safe in the knowledge that everybody who is actually watching their channels on a TV has (in theory) paid their annual subscription charge.

I know it won't happen, but it seems fiendishly simple to me...

Ironic though that we have had the mention on this thread by some that the BBC should go over to advertising, just when there is a HUGE row going on with ITV stating that they can no longer afford regional news programs and are cutting them back due to the lack of revenue from hard pressed advertisers.

If the BBC  had to rely on advertising. what would that do to TV with ever decreasing advertising revenue? Even subscription TV relies on advertisiing to make their programming affordable.

Hey, guess what, TVLA fans!  They messed up again!

Yes, having worked my way through the system to change my DD to annual, I found a quarterly charge made on my bank account.

So I rang them and asked why.

"It was too late to change."

"Why wasn't I told that at the time, then?"

"..."

He then agreed to change the details to make it an annual payment.  For some reason, he needed to take my sort code and account number again, even though they hadn't changed.  He insisted... (a security measure, probably).

Having completed the transaction, I asked why the last guy hadn't taken my DD details; why was the system inconsistent?

"The last operator didn't enter what type of DD you wanted to pay; monthly, quarterly or annual..."

Now, if I were cynical, I might suspect that they've deliberately 'made a mistake' to screw another £1.25 out of me.  I look forward to seeing what happens when the next payment is due to be made...