13/03/2003 00:00
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THE BBC confirmed to the Bulletin this morning that from May 30th ex-patriates in the Balearics will no longer be able to receive BBC programming because they have ended their deal with SKY tv.
In a cost-cutting exercise BBC programmes will now be broadcast on the corporation's own satellite which has a much reduced coverage area or footprint there by pulling the plug on BBC in the Balearics.
The move will affect hundreds of ex-patriates who for the last four years have been receiving BBC programmes through SKY Digital.
The only bright spot is that some radio programmes may be unaffected.
Today the Bulletin has launched a campaign to try to persuade the BBC to alter their decision under which ex-patriates would pay the standard licence fee in return for the full package.
Please send us your thoughts and comments.

VIEWPOINT By Jason Moore

WITH the announcement that we will no longer be able to receive BBC Television and some radio programmes (confirmed yesterday by a BBC spokesperson) from May 30 in the Balearics I would like to suggest the following. As you will have read the BBC has ended their deal with Sky Digital and is moving to a new satellite whose “footprint” (the technical term for coverage area) is much reduced and will probably just reach Northern Spain, France and the Benelux countries andd the United Kingdom ofcourse. So here goes my proposal.
I am quite prepared to pay the standard BBC licence fee in Majorca as long as I can receive all programmes. Judging by Sky's present programming I am not missing alot and I am sure all those who pay the subscription service, which I believe is about 35 pounds a month, would be quite prepared to exchange their Sky subscription for a BBC licence fee. In some ways it would make be feel alot better because this way it would all be above board. The BBC, I understand, is always looking at ways to raise revenue and by embracing the European expatriates I am sure they would be able to boost their coffers quite substantially. If the necessary technology exists to receive the programmes here then it also exists to establish who is receiving it. I will be interested to hear from all people who feel like me and who are prepared to pay the licence fee. All suggestions and comments can be sent to me at the Bulletin at jmoore@majorcadailybulletin.es. If there are enough like mind people I don't see why we can't lobby the good old BBC.