Promoting this Board

[Teddy Bear]

Steevo, your speculation basically assumes the BBC eventually ceasing to exist if their licence fee is terminated.
I rather imagine somebody like Branson buying it out lock stock and barrel, trimming it down as necessary, and competing directly with Murdoch. I don't believe for a moment that those presently running it, almost without exception except for able technicians, would be offered the job of toilet cleaner much less media personnel.

It's similar to when many of the state run services like the post office, trains, water, electricity were privatized in the 80's. The new management took it over and made it a commercial concern.

While we know the BBC are totally wasteful and inept with the present status quo, it would not be the same BBC if a shrewd businessman took it over, as they would have to be to have the funds to buy it in the first place.

[steevo]

Well you've added a new factor with Branson completely buying it out. He must be a multibillionair and very successful business man. OK, if that happened. But I wanna clarify I understood they would establish some immediate support from the business community (tho not cutting off the head in absolute takeover) otherwise all of my argument would have been meaningless. My main premise wasn't to basically assume the BBC will eventually cease to exist, I reasoned why I thought Murdoch most likely would grow larger while they get smaller.

Anyway if a shrewd businessman took over, insofar as current events news it could no longer be the BBC other than in name. The changes would have to be quick in my opinion, thereby allowing the obvious: no more mighty BBC, riding on historical prestige and in the eyes of many, Britain itself. And, this would be a much smaller, leaner and 'meaner' institution. The competitive and noncompetitive realities I stated in my previous post may be different but would still have serious play. And I still don't see convincing reason why Murdoch would prefer the status quo. My opinion Teddy.

[Teddy Bear]

And your opinion is valued Steevo, and I understand now what you were basing it on, and I think I see now a very relevant reality that you might have been missing.

If the BBC were privatized tomorrow, the government can't just let whoever is running it at the time carry on doing so, in effect, giving the BILLIONS in investment that has come from public funding for over 85 years turned over to a few individuals. They would have to put it on the market, and the sale would go into reducing taxes (at least that's what the politicians will say).

Does that make a difference?

[steevo]

Here's my 2nd modification on this and my LAST post It appears too 'cut and dry' but I really don't know how your politicians would accomplish it, or hope to. I understand better where you've been coming from but consider that even in the examples you gave there isn't the same high level fiercely competitive environment there is in media. Anyway its just too speculative for me other than assuming with confidence this kind of 'change' would be wrought with complication and uncertainty while you have a well fed battle hardened gorilla in the Murdoch empire chomping at the bit. That's how I see it. You could be right. God knows I hope the day comes where I'm very wrong.

[Teddy Bear]

steevo said:

but I really don't know how your politicians would accomplish it, or hope to...

As I already illustrated, the same way they privatized the rail network, telephone company, utilities, water, etc - they sold it. This is mainly why I can't stand Thatcher; she sold the resources - THE SOUL - of a nation for a small profit in relation to what it was really worth.

But I'd be very happy for them to sell off the BBC, which eventually they're bound do to. Corruption and scandal are already endemic to this lardy-dah bloated arrogant slug. They'll be a point when they will cease to be taken seriously by any majority of audience, so the question is whether the government in power will sell it off sooner or later when they see the writing on the wall, because the BBC does represent the face of the nation.

[johnbull]

Can anyone help me?
I'm a bit of a Luddite and don't know how to post a link.
I regularly check the biased bbc blog and forum and want to post a link to these sites on other forums.
This would enable me to promote this board and highlight all your good work.

[Teddy Bear]

It depends on the forum you're trying to post a link on John.
Some use <a>then the link</a> or (With the webpage address inserted beween the middle, which is what we use here)

Usually there will be some HTML given on the individual site to assist posters, otherwise you have to ask on that site.

If you look above the box when you are writing a reply here, you will see various symbols on two lines. The one on the lower line and second from the left is the one to insert a hyperlink. You just highlight the webpage address after pasting it, and then click that button, and it does it automatically.

It's nice to know you're watching out for us John, thanks.

[johnbull]

Thanks for the advice Ted. Ive successfuly posted links to the biased bbc sites.

[Teddy Bear]

Glad it could help, and thank you