Hats off BBC

AFKABartram

Two varied but excellent dramas (Line of Duty and The A Word) concluded this week shortly off the back of the equally excellent The Night Manager and the OJ Simpson Story.

Chuck in Cradle to the Grave, Car Share, Happy Valley and Attenborough's natural stuff, and the quality over the last 6 months I don't think has ever been higher.

Leeds_Addick

Have enjoyed The A Word (although I havent watched the last couple yet), Cradle to the Grave and Car Share more than anything I can remember in the last few years.
Really hope they do a 2nd series of Cradle to the Grave in particular, thought it was excellent.

kafka

Line of Duty was immense

Uboat

The BBC has been brilliant for as long as I can remember, but sadly it's in the firing line these days. We'll certainly miss it when it eventually goes.

Leeds_Addick

I do have one bone to pick with them. Football commentary not being available online has driven me crazy for a couple of years now. I assume it's not their fault and it's something to do with the contracts that the FL have but it's infuriating at times.

carly burn

Not getting the furore over line of duty. Haven't watched the last two yet but the plot's got more holes in it than a pack of polo's.
The bent copper is farcical and I think the lead detective fella and the girl out of 'this is England' are weak.

shirty5

Night Manager was excellent tv.

Carter

The last episode was brilliant as was the while series. Took it up a lot from series 2

SDAddick

Excited for this:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/28/bbc-and-netflix-team-up-for-new-watership-down-production

Apparently Netflix collaborated on The Night Manager, which I've not seen but will look in to. I thought there was some collaboration on "Happy Valley," as it says "Netflix Original" here in the States. I've only seen the first couple episodes but it's brilliant.

Gravesend_Addick

100% agree. There has been a big debate about tv licence money recently. I think the bbc has been worth every penny in recent months!

LuckyReds

SDAddick said:

Excited for this:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/28/bbc-and-netflix-team-up-for-new-watership-down-production

Apparently Netflix collaborated on The Night Manager, which I've not seen but will look in to. I thought there was some collaboration on "Happy Valley," as it says "Netflix Original" here in the States. I've only seen the first couple episodes but it's brilliant.

I saw something in the UK this evening on Netflix which was billed as "Netflix Original" but had the BBC intro. I presume they're working together a bit at the moment.

I'm not sure what the Netflix offering is like over in the US* other than it being quite a bit bigger, but the amount of BBC content on it in the UK is brilliant; old comedies and documentaries galore. It bugs me a little bit as I still feel that stuff should be on iPlayer out of principle in the UK, but on the other hand I imagine it's a brilliant way of them using older content to generate new revenue.

I actually watched the entire season of "Top Boy" and on Netflix today, and it's also how I re-discovered Louis Theroux's early 00's BBC documentaries.

(*Not sure whether I can simply log in to my normal Netflix account with my VPN turned on to see what's available over there?)

SDAddick

LuckyReds said:

SDAddick said:

Excited for this:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/28/bbc-and-netflix-team-up-for-new-watership-down-production

Apparently Netflix collaborated on The Night Manager, which I've not seen but will look in to. I thought there was some collaboration on "Happy Valley," as it says "Netflix Original" here in the States. I've only seen the first couple episodes but it's brilliant.

I saw something in the UK this evening on Netflix which was billed as "Netflix Original" but had the BBC intro. I presume they're working together a bit at the moment.

I'm not sure what the Netflix offering is like over in the US* other than it being quite a bit bigger, but the amount of BBC content on it in the UK is brilliant. Old comedies and documentaries galore. It bugs me a bit as I still feel that stuff should be on iPlayer out of principle in the UK, but on the other hand I imagine it's a brilliant way of them using older content to generate new revenue.

(Not sure whether I can simply log in to my normal Netflix account with my VPN turned on to see what's available over there?)

Yeah if your VPN is through a US IP or you can make it appear that you're coming from a US IP you should be able to get the American version. When I was in the UK I had access to everything on UK Netflix.

Also, I agree with you on iPlayer, I'd probably feel the same. But that said, I'd guess it's a pretty productive and lucrative partnership, and as you say generating revenue is important for them, as is creating good, original content.

Also, let's not forget Sherlock...

LuckyReds

SDAddick said:

LuckyReds said:

SDAddick said:

Excited for this:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/28/bbc-and-netflix-team-up-for-new-watership-down-production

Apparently Netflix collaborated on The Night Manager, which I've not seen but will look in to. I thought there was some collaboration on "Happy Valley," as it says "Netflix Original" here in the States. I've only seen the first couple episodes but it's brilliant.

I saw something in the UK this evening on Netflix which was billed as "Netflix Original" but had the BBC intro. I presume they're working together a bit at the moment.

I'm not sure what the Netflix offering is like over in the US* other than it being quite a bit bigger, but the amount of BBC content on it in the UK is brilliant. Old comedies and documentaries galore. It bugs me a bit as I still feel that stuff should be on iPlayer out of principle in the UK, but on the other hand I imagine it's a brilliant way of them using older content to generate new revenue.

(Not sure whether I can simply log in to my normal Netflix account with my VPN turned on to see what's available over there?)

Yeah if your VPN is through a US IP or you can make it appear that you're coming from a US IP you should be able to get the American version. When I was in the UK I had access to everything on UK Netflix.

Awesome! Cheers for the heads up.

I always imagined they'd have something more complex in place, perhaps falling back to your billing/account information. Great to hear that it's nothing so tricky though. I'm sadly quite excited to log in and have a browse now... (I probably need to get out more.)

Exiled_Addick

Netflix has really clamped down on using VPN after pressure from the studios and distributors. Doubt it will work anymore. The VPN I use to get the iPlayer from here no longer works with Netflix.

buckshee

All available on Kodi

Stig

AFKABartram said:

Two varied but excellent dramas (Line of Duty and The A Word) concluded this week shortly off the back of the equally excellent The Night Manager and the OJ Simpson Story.

Chuck in Cradle to the Grave, Car Share, Happy Valley and Attenborough's natural stuff, and the quality over the last 6 months I don't think has ever been higher.

Are you just trying to wind up Big Rob?

Algarveaddick

I find the BBC knocking has turned into the Andy Gray scenario. Stay with me on this one.

When Gray was an analyst on Sky, the followers of the Sky four were all convinced that he hated their club and loved the other three - "Look at the stick he gave Terry/Gerrard/Giggs/Henry this week", they would bleat, "He loves Man Utd/Arsenal/Liverpool/Chelsea, and hates us". The point being that he actually was completely fair to all, gave out equal stick where it was deserved, but because they were so used to sycophancy and sucking up to their "big" clubs, they were unable to see the wood for the trees.

Now I see similar with the BBC, left wing friends describing them as government puppets and the British Bullshit Corporation, whilst the right wingers accuse them of lefty propaganda and hiding the truth about (for example) immigration. Because it isn't all tree hugging or all foreigner hating, it is apparently biased towards the other side.

Back to the main gist of the thread - yes some great drama and comedy recently, plus some decent quiz and game shows (and some toot) and documentaries on BBC4 to boot.

Bournemouth Addick

Radio 4, BBC4 and their natural history output are worth the license fee on their own.

To think we get all the other tv and radio channels, their top quality news, drama, sports and documentary output, and the most comprehensive news website thrown in as well makes it the bargain of the century imo. Well...after the Olympic Stadium deal maybe...

Daddy_Pig

Peaky Blinders back next week too!

jonseventyfive

The A word finally got the wife and me watching something together, and she even put her phone down.

charltonkeston

I do feel the BBC is some what taken for granted.
Easy to knock and not appreciated as much ,as maybe, it should

ricky_otto

jonseventyfive said:

The A word finally got the wife and me watching something together, and she even put her phone down.

Small steps! As long as the housework and cooking are getting done, it sounds to me like you've got a good deal.

dickplumb

carly burn said:

Not getting the furore over line of duty. Haven't watched the last two yet but the plot's got more holes in it than a pack of polo's.
The bent copper is farcical and I think the lead detective fella and the girl out of 'this is England' are weak.

I couldn't disagree more. It was a fantastic drama well acted and written. You should have watched the last two episodes. I agree with AFKA, there have been some great drama's on BBC.

Bangkokaddick

Exiled_Addick said:

Netflix has really clamped down on using VPN after pressure from the studios and distributors. Doubt it will work anymore. The VPN I use to get the iPlayer from here no longer works with Netflix.

I took @Stu_in_Kunming's advice and tried Astrill. It is good, so many different servers, and I can now get Netflix from Thailand, UK and USA.

man_at_milletts

I don't usually do 'must watch' for series on TV, but Line of Duty was exceptional and certainly kept everyone quiet while it was on.

A tad disappointed with the final 15 minutes and the inevitable 'chase', but looking forward to the next series.

mcgrandall

man_at_milletts said:

I don't usually do 'must watch' for series on TV, but Line of Duty was exceptional and certainly kept everyone quiet while it was on.

A tad disappointed with the final 15 minutes and the inevitable 'chase', but looking forward to the next series.

agree about the last 15 minutes, especially the marksmanship. Thought the last two episodes sorted out one of the show major flaws, as in you actually started to like/root for AC12.

kafka

man_at_milletts said:

I don't usually do 'must watch' for series on TV, but Line of Duty was exceptional and certainly kept everyone quiet while it was on.

A tad disappointed with the final 15 minutes and the inevitable 'chase', but looking forward to the next series.

I loved the last 15 minutes. Alright, you have to suspend believe but edge of the seat stuff.

red_murph

man_at_milletts said:

I don't usually do 'must watch' for series on TV, but Line of Duty was exceptional and certainly kept everyone quiet while it was on.

A tad disappointed with the final 15 minutes and the inevitable 'chase', but looking forward to the next series.

Agree completely. Great series overall though.

SDAddick

LuckyReds said:

SDAddick said:

LuckyReds said:

SDAddick said:

Excited for this:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/28/bbc-and-netflix-team-up-for-new-watership-down-production

Apparently Netflix collaborated on The Night Manager, which I've not seen but will look in to. I thought there was some collaboration on "Happy Valley," as it says "Netflix Original" here in the States. I've only seen the first couple episodes but it's brilliant.

I saw something in the UK this evening on Netflix which was billed as "Netflix Original" but had the BBC intro. I presume they're working together a bit at the moment.

I'm not sure what the Netflix offering is like over in the US* other than it being quite a bit bigger, but the amount of BBC content on it in the UK is brilliant. Old comedies and documentaries galore. It bugs me a bit as I still feel that stuff should be on iPlayer out of principle in the UK, but on the other hand I imagine it's a brilliant way of them using older content to generate new revenue.

(Not sure whether I can simply log in to my normal Netflix account with my VPN turned on to see what's available over there?)

Yeah if your VPN is through a US IP or you can make it appear that you're coming from a US IP you should be able to get the American version. When I was in the UK I had access to everything on UK Netflix.

Awesome! Cheers for the heads up.

I always imagined they'd have something more complex in place, perhaps falling back to your billing/account information. Great to hear that it's nothing so tricky though. I'm sadly quite excited to log in and have a browse now... (I probably need to get out more.)

No judgements from me mate. When I was in London I remember my friends and I spent like an hour going back and forth on things on the UK Netflix versus the US version.

Did you get through okay? I just realized it's been a year and a half since I did it (and a year and a half away from SE London) so they might have wised up.

Lastly, I think you work in software. No clue if it's your thing, but some of the stuff they put out on mega data and architecture is really, really interesting. They tend to be quite guarded with some of their algorithms (though I think that's changing a bit). I used to work with a couple guys who are there now, and if you follow their various blogs and stuff they post some interesting things (which I have to confess are technically a little above my head).

PragueAddick

Great to read this as a big BBC fan, not least because of the dramas @AFKABartram listed, I only watched he Night Manager. I'm locked into all the BBC4 Scandi stuff, which admittedly isn't their own work, but they brought it to us, together with Mad Men, never forget. the licence fee is the hands down the best value for money in the world of broadcasting. i just wish I could pay it instead of paying for a huge satellite dish and a VPN (mine is Zenmate, very happy with it, they also claim to encrypt all your data).

SDAddick

PragueAddick said:

Great to read this as a big BBC fan, not least because of the dramas @AFKABartram listed, I only watched he Night Manager. I'm locked into all the BBC4 Scandi stuff, which admittedly isn't their own work, but they brought it to us, together with Mad Men, never forget. the licence fee is the hands down the best value for money in the world of broadcasting. i just wish I could pay it instead of paying for a huge satellite dish and a VPN (mine is Zenmate, very happy with it, they also claim to encrypt all your data).

On the topic of Scandi stuff, have they brought "Occupied" (Norway) to the UK yet? Its on Netflix here in the states, I'm about halfway through and so far it's really, really good.