Why BBC America Should be Free!

[redknightalex]

And this is why I keep thinking BBC America should be available to me for free. Commercial video time! Plus, it's bloody hilarious and my Brit pals have probably never seen this because, well, it's BBC AmericaFYI: This is the commercial I talked about earlier that shows at the beginning of most new BBC shows (ie Torchwood, Doctor Who) that get

Comments

[annissag]

I've always been baffled by the "absolutely no money whatsoever" bit of that ad. I pay handsomely every month for my ability to watch BBC America. I have my specific satellite package so I can watch that channel, and it isn't the lowest tier. It certainly never came to my TV via antenna a la CBS, NBC, or ABC.

If John Oliver says it won't cost any money, then, by golly, it shouldn't cost any money! It's time to throw our televisions into Boston Harbor!

[redknightalex]

I remember when I first saw this ad, I had the Series 4 Specials (way back in July), and I went "BBC America for free? Why did I not know this?". I searched through my more-than-basic cable package but couldn't find it at all. Talked with Comcast (who are always nice when I speak with them, even given their reputation for horrible customer service) and they said BBC America was on one of the elite packages. I think I had a good dose of WTF going around. Doesn't help that my mom only has basic cable and I get about a dozen channels (but I do get channel 20, which shows Star Trek: TNG re-runs every weekday night. Not sure why I watch it, with the commercials, considering I have them all on DVD

[annissag]

I pride myself on being able to recognize voices, and John Oliver's is particularly distinctive. I'm not great at accents, however, but I'm pretty sure that's not an RP accent he's using in the ad you posted, which means I take exception to his "opportunity for you to hear words pronounced correctly," bit. I have a friend from Yorkshire who insists that his accent is the "most correct" of all accents in the English-speaking world.

That closed-captioning line used to appear on ads similar to the one above just before a show would start. It always made me laugh.

[redknightalex]

"Most correct". Hmm, oh dear, that could definitely spark a revolution if you aren't careful. However, that is my favorite bit of the ad although every time I do wish he would mention the tea instead of the news

[bas_math_girl]

You are correct; I've never seen that ad before! But I loved it's Monty Python feel - and the gag about hearing words pronounced correctly!! Pure Public School tosh! Ha ha ha
[Public School Johnnies run the BBC after all, so you shouldn't be surprised!]

I still think you should write to BBC America about not getting it for free as advertised...

[redknightalex]

Well why ever would you? I have now enlightened you *waves magic wand* :D

I remember being so confused when I put in the first of the Series 4 Specials and thought, 'what in the world is this?' Then I was laughing out loud.

I'm pretty sure that BBC America wouldn't do anything about it, even if commercial laws here in the US are really strict. It's probably got something to do with money and licsensing and blah blah blah. Argh! I wants me Christmas Special on Christmas bloody day!

*deep breath* I'll survive. By the time it airs on your side, it'll probably be available on the itnernets so I'll probably still be safe.

[saiyako]

"Words pronounced correctly" made me lol! XD

Also, the "mention tea/mention Spice Girls" bit. They should have mentioned tea!

[redknightalex]

They should have mentioned tea!

You're telling me! I even would have preferred them saying something about the Spice Girls 'cause, well, y'know, it would have been more amusing than the news. Although my homepage is BBC News....Hmm.

For ads like this I never skip over the previews on a BBC disc. Just by watching the DW Series 5 commercials, I decided to purchase myself BBC's Sherlock to watch some night. Also saw previews for Hamlet and Torchwood as well. Seen those already but they are right: they do make quality TV.

[saiyako]

Aw, we don't get ads like this. Probably cos they know we watch all their shows anyway.

Wait, which Hamlet? The DT one? Is it good?

[redknightalex]

Yeah, it's the RSC's Hamlet with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. It is absolutely amazing. The movie is a good three hours long and when I watched it the first time I sat through the whole thing at the edge of my bed (TV is right in front of it), enraptured, with just a few breaks for food, drink, and to grab my own copy of Hamlet to read along with. I highly recommend it if you're up for some Shakespeare.