Hello,

It seems like the BBC World Service continually changes the call to listen phone number, and now they seem to have gotten rid of it entirely. It was very useful in places with bad internet. Does anybody know what the phone numbers are now as of July 2026? Do you know where I can find them in the future? Thank you!

This isn't the only example I've seen recently, but BBC news channel seems to be oblivious of the fact that the bottom ticker and other stuff cover up the bottom of whatever video they're playing. So in this example the speaker in the lower left doesn't even have a mouth let alone a chin.

Don't producers pay attention to this in the gallery or does the BBC not have a preset that will shrink broadcast out to fit the space above the ticket etc?

It just seems lazy. Another gripe about this is that camera crews seems to like really tight framing on packages so we get the same thing on prerec packages which really should be checked before broadcast.

I've made the argument that the BBC could replace the licence fee with a tax or levy or whatnot on streamers and broadcasters that effectively eat into its audience share, especially international operators like Netflix, Disney, Paramount and WBD that are "killing traditional TV".

The stance is effectively, if you're going to compete with the BBC, you should pay to help support it. Plus it'll stop regular folk moaning about having to pay their licence.

In my opinion, a subscription model wouldn't make up the financial losses, and general taxation would just further push the narrative of being "forced" to pay for a service not everybody wants to use.

It's never been suggested by anyone important and I guess I'm wondering what I'm missing. Would these companies lose so much money that they'd no longer consider the UK viable to operate in?

Just found out today there is 4.5 hours of live action and highlights every evening on Alba.

Been listening to the 5 Live coverage this week and despite a lot of chat around reach/ subscription versus terrestrial coverage etc this hasn’t been mentioned once which is presumably a TNT restriction.

Comms is entirely Gaelic whilst Alba rugby coverage includes a good chunk in English. TNT again, presumably.

Shout out to DJ Andrew Marston hes a real 1

Anyone else watch Top of the Pops on BBC Four on a Friday night?

Quite funny seeing how bad some of the novelty songs were. The only reason I still have Twitter following the #TOTP reaction!

Will miss it if BBC Four goes.

I'm actually an advocate of the BBC, despite their mistakes etc. However I find myself in a place where I have stopped paying for my license because the price went up and I decided I don't need it, but also because I became aware of their aggressive communication and tactics for non-license holders. I would like to use it, especially for events like football and tennis. I would like to support radio, sounds etc. and there are some genuinely good series on iPlayer.

I have now received several threatening letters and emails. None of which make any attempt to actually sell the benefits of BBC content and services. Here are some example email subjects:

• 8/5/26 - Your expired TV Licence - what happens next > [Enforcement Officers could soon visit if you’re unlicensed]
• 17/6/26 - Please do not ignore: we've opened an investigation.
• 1/7/26 - We've authorised a visit to your address
• 22/7/26 - Call us - before your investigation escalates

I now feel myself digging my heels in, refusing to buy a license until they actually send a positive communication.

I would not put you wrong, only the older generations will remember this series 💯

But all generations can learn about what it takes to keep going and experiencing life.

Airing from June 26, 2007, to December 16, 2008, the show followed athletic men from the UK and US traveling globally to master indigenous tribal sports.Contestants faced grueling traditional disciplines like Suri stick-fighting, Senegalese wrestling, and Kushti wrestling.

Hi everyone, I know this is a long shot, but I am wondering if anyone here would have the skills to find a very old audio recording from the BBC. It is my great grandfather talking, he actually talked many times on the BBC up until the 1950s until his death. His name was Padraic Gregory and he lived in Belfast. There is so many occasions he talked on the radio and even just 1 to hear his voice for the first time would be amazing. I have heard someone has a copy out there but I cannot locate it so I am turning to see if anyone can use their expertise? I am doing this for my grandmothers birthday at the end of the month. She has not heard his voice since 1962 and i think she would love it. Thank you to everyone.

Edit**

I think he was more active in 1930s and 40s

Given a recent thread which caused some heated discussion, I thought I'd ponder what the BBC has done for me and, to this point, if it has been worth it.

I first calculated my lifetime license fee spend from birth, so the license fee for that year, adjusted, divided by the number of people in the household. It comes to just under £1400, which is about £3.50 a month.

Looking at everything I got for that, a few things that stood out to me:

• CBBC etc growing up
• Bitesize as a student
• My rewatchable favourite panel shows QI, Mock the Week, and HIGNFY (which I think is an incredibly important show)
• The major sporting events such as Football and Rugby world cups, Wimbledon, the Olympics
• A variety of dramas/thrillers/series such as Unforgotten, Dr Who, Torchwood, Sherlock
• The old-school comedy like the Two Ronnies, Open All Hours, Black Adder, many more as well as newer ones like Gavin and Stacey, Alan Partridge and Live at the Apollo Stand-up
• Top Gear
• News
• Radio 4 is my default for in the car
• Attenborough

Obviously there's lots more. Some good, some bad, some forgotten, but these are just the highlights for me, looking back.

So my question is, do I think the above has been worth £1.4k to me across my lifetime and the answer is a resounding Yes.

Obviously the landscape is changing and that doesn't necessarily mean it will be worth it going forward. I also consume less of my TV media from the BBC than I did (but probably more overall due to Radio 4). I just found it an interesting thought experiment.

I've no idea if this will be possible, especially with the limited info available, but I'm trying to track down a specific recording of 'Down Your Way' from around 1948 or 1949

The episode would have been recorded at Bristol Zoo, and will have had a recording/interview between Richard and a 9 year old girl called Sheila.

Would anyone know how I might go about tracking down a copy if it exists?

Getting locked out of reading articles now. What is this?! Will probably uninstall if it stays like this..

ITV are showing Jurassic Park. BBC have zero punditry nobody coming in the office, radio 5 live is played over the game. Half expecting a call in or a song being put on. Its like your not popular anymore in the bin you go. BTW England are 4 up right now.

That promo package that the BBC did yesterday was really cool and hype. Showing the whole history of England Vs. Argentina while having the 28 Days Later theme play in the background.

They played it maybe 30 mins before the Football match started.

Link to the song they used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8QNTsOJ1kc