Why I’m happy to be an ‘older telly addict’ deserting TV

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Terrestrial television is not the draw for some of our readers it used to be (iStock/Getty Images)

I think there are reasons why “older telly addicts” are deserting the traditional habit of watching terrestrial TV other than those highlighted by Michael Hogan in his article.

They cannot bear either the excruciatingly awful ads that are repeatedly inflicted on viewers in the ad breaks, or the interminable programmes that focus on personal, navel-gazing issues, often centred on celebrities.

I’d rather re-watch old Poirot episodes, which are so beautifully produced (and the dialogue is crystal clear) on the ITV Hub, where I pay extra to watch ad-free!

By the way, could the BBC repeat Poldark please, instead of endless repeats of miscellaneous low-grade stuff?

Penny Little

Oxfordshire

Streaming vs terrestrial

I enjoyed reading Michael Hogan’s energetic column. This woman is eschewing all the myriad delights of Netflix ad infinitum as I find sufficient programming on Freeview channels if the main channels fail to come up with the viewing goods.

For example Saturday night television can be a cultural desert, so I switched to PBS America and watched very interesting documentaries on Israel after the Second World War.

I agree though that some of the great dramas, period and otherwise on the traditional channels, are few and far between, mainly I suppose because of their expense and production values. We are now exposed to short bursts of sometimes excellent dramas such as the recent The Sixth Commandment on BBC One, based on a true story. It was riveting, poignant and beautifully acted.

So no, I won’t pay to be entertained by the streaming channels and still feel reasonably served by traditional channels. But of course this is a wake-up call for them and they need to up their game at all times, but as someone who remembers all the BBC classics with affection, I won’t be deserting and jumping the terrestrial TV ship just yet. As Hogan rightly states, when there is something momentous happening in this country or world, who do we turn to inform us, our traditional channels such as the BBC.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

A taxing change

I applaud Andrew Baker's letter from yesterday but the last line needs editing - we need to PAY more (tax) to spend more. When will a political party be brave enough to say this out loud?

Margaret Adams

Keighley

Economic growth

It was heartening to read Jim O’Neill’s article that showed how serious politicians, who are committed to the nation’s economic growth and security, are talking constructively about ways to address the lack of productivity that has depressed the economy since the financial crisis of 2008.

The ideological commitment to austerity measures and the lack of investment in both the public and private sector has severely damaged the bedrock on which economic growth is built. Add to this a headline-grabbing assertion by some Tories, including the woeful Liz Truss, that our lack of productivity boils down to a work-shy workforce and it is clear that those who have been at the head of government for the last fourteen years are only concerned with short-term, vote-winning gesture politics.

Productivity depends on long-term investment so that innovative ideas can be developed and embedded in order to secure sustainable growth in the future. This is the only way to create jobs, assure profits and stimulate a buoyant economy. The sooner we turn our backs on a government that has stifled our economy through its slavish commitment to market-oriented, short-term policies and investment, the better.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

One team in question

There is much discussion about the independence of the BBC’s reporting at the moment.

These concerns seem restricted to politics.

If one listens to commentaries on cricket, women’s football and netball one would be forgiven for thinking that England was the only team of interest.

Dr Anthony Ingleton

Sheffield