Comment Re:embrace this decision (Score 1) 259
It's a funny one, since stereotypically, Americans complain about paying *any* sort of tax-like charge, yet people often want the BBC content too. This is having your cake and eat it :)
Of course, there's a smattering of BBC content on BBC world, but you don't get the whole BBC, and the lack of adverts for what the average American contributes to see BBC World.
It's a different culture- UK broadcast news is legally bound to be truthful and unbiased unlike Fox "news" etc, and the sorts of programmes commissioned are very different to commerical TV too. It's not all wonderful, there is some tedious populist nonsense like DIY shows, and rubbishy "Reality TV" too. However, stuff that would never see the light of day on Murdoch's TV turns up on the BBC, recently there's been a bit of a renaissance of original programming.
I don't know what answer is.. Some of the really amazing-looking BBC nature programmes are produced in association with the Discovery Channel (I think they mostly put up the folding green stuff for a chance to show it). This means that you guys will get/will have seen mind-blowing stuff like "Massive Nature". As to the more daring cutting-edge comedy, like "Monkey Dust", I fear that it'd not do very well in the US, much like Chris Morris' "Jam"; fall foul of the religious right "moral minority" world view. Maybe you'll get stuff like "The Smoking Room", which is exquisite and in the classic British theatrical tradition. Occasionally very dark, has a delightfully tight script.
I don't know what the answer is, Reagan shredded public service broadcasting in the US, made "liberal" a dirty word, and taught people that taxation was akin to Satan worship. This isn't really an environment in which the BBC could florish.
Moreover, you have to remember that the stuff which goes out on BBC TV is often only cleared for the BBC to show in certain places- and it wouldn't be allowed to show it in the US- US rights are often negotiated separately.
Anyway, whatever the eventual answer is (and I hope it's not the Americanisation of British media, reducing it all to the lowests common denominator via Sky), I hope you guys there get at least some of this stuff- call it payback for Bill Hicks :-)
(All the views above do not represent those of my employers, they're mine. If they upset you, that's the fault of me and thee, not the lovely people who pay me)
Of course, there's a smattering of BBC content on BBC world, but you don't get the whole BBC, and the lack of adverts for what the average American contributes to see BBC World.
It's a different culture- UK broadcast news is legally bound to be truthful and unbiased unlike Fox "news" etc, and the sorts of programmes commissioned are very different to commerical TV too. It's not all wonderful, there is some tedious populist nonsense like DIY shows, and rubbishy "Reality TV" too. However, stuff that would never see the light of day on Murdoch's TV turns up on the BBC, recently there's been a bit of a renaissance of original programming.
I don't know what answer is.. Some of the really amazing-looking BBC nature programmes are produced in association with the Discovery Channel (I think they mostly put up the folding green stuff for a chance to show it). This means that you guys will get/will have seen mind-blowing stuff like "Massive Nature". As to the more daring cutting-edge comedy, like "Monkey Dust", I fear that it'd not do very well in the US, much like Chris Morris' "Jam"; fall foul of the religious right "moral minority" world view. Maybe you'll get stuff like "The Smoking Room", which is exquisite and in the classic British theatrical tradition. Occasionally very dark, has a delightfully tight script.
I don't know what the answer is, Reagan shredded public service broadcasting in the US, made "liberal" a dirty word, and taught people that taxation was akin to Satan worship. This isn't really an environment in which the BBC could florish.
Moreover, you have to remember that the stuff which goes out on BBC TV is often only cleared for the BBC to show in certain places- and it wouldn't be allowed to show it in the US- US rights are often negotiated separately.
Anyway, whatever the eventual answer is (and I hope it's not the Americanisation of British media, reducing it all to the lowests common denominator via Sky), I hope you guys there get at least some of this stuff- call it payback for Bill Hicks
(All the views above do not represent those of my employers, they're mine. If they upset you, that's the fault of me and thee, not the lovely people who pay me)
