TV licence could be scrapped for millions in bombshell BBC plan | Personal Finance | Finance
Millions of households could be freed from paying the TV licence fee under a new rescue plan for the BBC, with ministers weighing sweeping changes to how the broadcaster is funded. The proposals are being considered as part of the BBC’s charter renewal.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is examining ways to help the corporation raise more money as a record number of families refuse to pay the £174.50 annual licence fee. One option under discussion would be to put older classics behind a paywall. Under the plan, the programmes would be free to watch for a set period, after which the older content would then be charged for. Ministers are also reportedly considering allowing the BBC to introduce advertising on its TV channels as part of an effort to plug a funding gap and make up to £700million in savings. At the same time, the Government is looking at widening access to free TV licences for households struggling to afford the annual fee, raising the prospect that millions more could become exempt from paying.
The consultation says: “This approach would see all of the BBC’s content remaining universally available for a certain amount of time. The BBC could then monetise older content, such as its archive or content more than a year old on its public service platforms where it holds the necessary rights.”
“As we consider the future of the BBC’s funding model, we must consider how it will impact different household budgets.”
It notes other public broadcasting models, such as in Germany, where “concessions are available to individuals who receive social benefits and to some students and people undertaking vocational training”.
Ms Nandy said: “We want the BBC to continue to enrich people’s lives, tell Britain’s story and showcase our values and culture at home and overseas, long into the future.
“My aims for the Charter Review are clear. The BBC must remain fiercely independent, accountable and be able to command public trust.
“It must reflect the whole of the UK, remain an engine for economic growth and be funded in a way that is sustainable and fair for audiences.
“As a government, we will ensure that this Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape and secures its role at the heart of national life.”
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “We welcome the publication of the Government’s Green Paper and the start of the public consultation on the future of the BBC.
“We urge everyone who cares about the success of the UK’s world-leading creative industries to have their say. At the BBC, we want change, so we can continue to deliver for the UK for generations to come.
“We want to secure a public service BBC that is independent, sustainably funded for the long term, and meets our audience’s needs.”
