Why do the BBC bid for Rugby Union?

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Line6 HXFX
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So Amazon are broadcasting the Autumn internationals.

As it is live TV., you have to have a BBC license to watch it.

So why do the BBC enter bidding wars for Rugby union when they are going to get paid (whether they actually win the rights and broadcast it or not) either way.

Why spend a fortune to try and secure broadcast rights, when even if they lose (to Amazon or Sky or whoever) they get paid, the exact same amount?
Shouldn't they just not bother getting the rights and save the license fee payers money, and I dunno, go spend the money it would have cost to secure the rights elsewhere?
What have they lost financially when they lose broadcasting rights?
We have to get a BBC license to watch it regardless.

Are they trying to save us money, trying to keep rugby away from other broadcasters and doing it out of community spirit?
"Oh the poor bastards will have to pay us anyway, the least we can do is try to secure the rights..and ensure that it is only us they have to pay"?
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Ymx
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Why exactly do you need a bbc license to watch it on Amazon?
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Paddington Bear
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You don't and a Prime subscription for a month to watch all that rugby in decent quality isn't an unreasonable ask at all.
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
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Ymx
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And with a 30 day free trial, refry could watch it all for free
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Slick
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Apart from all that he makes a good point

EDIT: because he is quite right, so leave him alone.
Last edited by Slick on Fri Oct 29, 2021 4:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
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shaggy
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If you watch any live tv in the uk you need a license irrespective of the platform. This includes Prime.
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ScarfaceClaw
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Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:40 pm You don't and a Prime subscription for a month to watch all that rugby in decent quality isn't an unreasonable ask at all.
You do need a licence. It’s stated that if you are watching live streaming events then a licence is required.

Must admit I didn’t know that before refry mentioned it.

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ104#

Edit: I can’t spell.
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Sandstorm
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REFRY is right? I’d better have a drink.
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Paddington Bear
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Fair play, learn something new every day
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
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Cartman
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I take it its not on SA's version of Amazon Prime?
Like a lot of other stuff it seems
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Sandstorm
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Cartman wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 6:07 pm I take it its not on SA's version of Amazon Prime?
Like a lot of other stuff it seems
Probably on Supersport
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Ymx
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That’s bizarre.

It’s got to be illegal to enforce surely as it’s not linked to any service they provide.
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Paddington Bear
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Ymx wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 6:22 pm That’s bizarre.

It’s got to be illegal to enforce surely as it’s not linked to any service they provide.
You can always tell the TV Licence inspectors to piss off, as just about every student house in Britain does at some point
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
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Ymx
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Well, or just pay for it because I use it.
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ScarfaceClaw
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Ymx wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 6:22 pm That’s bizarre.

It’s got to be illegal to enforce surely as it’s not linked to any service they provide.
I am genuinely surprised at it as well. How can a streamed admittedly live can be linked to a BBC licence fee is very odd.
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Torquemada 1420
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ScarfaceClaw wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 4:28 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:40 pm You don't and a Prime subscription for a month to watch all that rugby in decent quality isn't an unreasonable ask at all.
You do need a licence. It’s stated that if you are watching live streaming events then a licence is required.

Must admit I didn’t know that before refry mentioned it.

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ104#

Edit: I can’t spell.
Well, that's simple. Freeze the play for 10 secs and then it's not live. :shh:
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Ymx
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You missed clause 3
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Tichtheid
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As a parent of students my children can watch tv on their computers in their flats on our tv licence as long as the computer isn’t plugged in to the mains, it has to be on battery.

Or that was the case, now they are not in student flats we bought them licenses to avoid any run ins, there is already a hassle with poll tax over the summer holidays, so getting rid of another potential headache was worth the price
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