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AUGUST 27, 2003 at 12:24 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Electronic Telegraph via Moreover
Publicly-financed British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) is on the defensive after for-profit competitor BSkyB asked that the studio be forced to sell its most popular programs and justify the £10 million spent on acquiring the rights to show Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this December. The company said the BBC has overstepped its charter and changes need to be made before its £2.5 billion license fee (tax) is renewed in 2006:
The pay TV company described the plans as "firing the first round" in the debate over the renewal in 2006 of the BBC's royal charter, which sets the terms of the corporation's remit and method of funding.
BSkyB, which is controlled by Rupert Murdoch, has long accused the BBC of squeezing the commercial sector with a stream of populist programmes, but yesterday's attack goes much further.
a license fee of £116 a year. Anyone caught watching TV without a license is subject to a £1,000 fine. The BBC's charter requires the corporation to, among other things, "provide sound and television programmes of information, education and entertainment for general reception" and "organise, present, produce, provide or subsidise concerts, shows, variety performances, revues, musical and other productions and performances and other entertainments."
As to the Harry Potter movie rights:
Lorraine Heggessey, the BBC1 controller, rejected accusations that the deal with Warner Bros was a waste of licence payers' money.
... [she] said it was the BBC's duty to provide "quality family entertainment". Greg Dyke, the BBC director-general, also disputed the price tag for the Harry Potter, saying that it was one of a package of 10 films. However, insiders say the other films are of negligible value.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is expected to be the highlight of BBC1's schedule on Christmas Day - more than 18 months after its release on video.
At an exchange rate of 1.57, the U.S. dollar (USD) amount for each figure above is as follows:
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Student
Points: 237
Ellia Black says:
WOW thats a lot of money to pay to show a movie that everyone can bye on vhs for 15 bucks! I dont quiet understand the whole tv industry but if they bought it in a law abbiding way who gives a hoot!
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 12:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
Thats a lot of money. I really didn't understand all that business talk but i hope that they can show it cause i live in America and just found the BBC channel. And i have only seen the American version so it would be kool to see HP AND the Philsopher's Stone instead of Soccocer's Stone.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 12:56 PM EST
Student
Points: 204
Bryak says:
That is a ton of money, and not to mention it has been out on DVD for long enough that I am not too sure it can that much back. To address ~DRaGoN_eYEz~ idea that HP is getting more and more expensive, with regards to the last book, I don't know anyone who paid the cover price for it. I got mine new the day it came out for $15. That's the cheapest I have ever gotten a book that size.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 1:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 613
sarah_belle says:
That is SOOOO much money!!!!!!I'm glad I have it on Dvd for $20...cause I don't think I would spend that much!!!!
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 3:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
HPN4eveRon says:
It would be better to have it put into American money porpotion, but by looking at everyone elses posts i think that is a lot! Everything on television is so confuseing, just make it simpler.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 3:28 PM EST
Student
Points: 281
LiLSw33ti says:
That's a lot of money considering its just for TV, but they'll earn it all back plus more from commercials. Football fans: Remember Superbowl ads? It takes a couple million to just get a 30 second slot. Of course this isn't exactly the Superbowl, but I'm willing to bet there are high bidders out there just dying to get a spot.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 4:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
ugghh! I wish WB would of just let them air it without all this money and problems....
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 5:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
Wow, as you all said, quite a lot of money. Wish I had it! By the way: will there be any person at christmas who hasn't seen the movie in cinema or on DVD/VHS? Just can't imagine that. Even my parents have seen both movies and they watch only two or three per annum.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 6:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 742
TigerEyez says:
That's soooo much money! I don't see what the problem is, anyone who wants to see the movie has already seen it.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 6:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
Wow that whole article went right over my head i think school is taking too much of a toll on me the only thing i registered was the amount of money which everyone has already stated is a LOT!
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 9:11 PM EST
Squib
Points: 141
LindaWood6 says:
[i]That is a lot of money to pay for the rights of HP. I know that most people already own the movie, but 18 months doesnt seem like a lot of time since the movie came on video. Other movies usually wait 24 months before airing it.
Posted Aug 27, 2003 at 9:29 PM EST
Headmaster
(Moderator)
Cheeser says:
LiLSw33ti - according to the government charter, I don't think they allow advertisements on the network. That's why it's such a big deal that they spent so much "out-of-pocket" I guess.
Posted Aug 28, 2003 at 9:31 AM EST
Student
Points: 281
LiLSw33ti says:
No commercials? How are they going to possibly make money off of it?...not that no commercials is a bad thing, I'm just wondering
Posted Aug 28, 2003 at 3:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
That a lot of money for a movie that you can just buy at the store. I would just go get it instead.
Posted Aug 29, 2003 at 6:35 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
Holy monkey! In the states, HBO, Cinnemax, and a lot of other channels already play CoS on television. That's insane that the BBC had to pay so much for it.
Posted Aug 30, 2003 at 12:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
My sister lived in England for several years - it's weird to have to pay for a license to watch regular tv (not like cable).
But who can blame them for buying Harry Potter???
Posted Sep 18, 2003 at 10:07 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
quidditch_queen says:
Hahaha they are nuts! Of course...a lot of money! My mom won't pay that to see BBC...NEVER! :(
Posted Sep 18, 2003 at 10:43 AM EST
Lycanthropist for W.S.S.
Points: 3603
Alchemist 530 says:
Holy shlamolies! Thats alotta dough! But if anything worth it, the HP movies are! Im sure lots of people will be eager to watch them!
Posted Oct 27, 2003 at 12:28 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
Wow, the whole thing of owning the Harry Potter movies must be a big deal in Britain, then again I can understand why it's that way!
Posted Feb 20, 2004 at 11:57 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
I really do not understand all of this, er, 'business talk,' but it seems like a lot of money to show a movie on TV.
Posted Jul 27, 2004 at 12:33 PM EST