End of the licence fee: BBC to back radical overhaul of how it is funded
The BBC is a huge part of rural life in terms of everything from “Farming Today” to “Countryfile” and especially local radio. I think the idea of funding it more sustainably like this as an ongoing universal service is absolutely right. This article tells us:
The BBC will back a radical overhaul of the licence fee, paving the way for the end of the current system of funding the state broadcaster, the Corporation’s head, Tony Hall, is expected to say today.
In a speech to staff at Broadcasting House, Lord Hall is expected to indicate the Corporation’s backing for a broadcasting levy that would apply to every household, regardless of whether they have a television.
Last week the parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee said the £145.50 annual licence fee should ultimately be replaced by a German-style “broadcasting levy” that would apply to every household. The change would allow the BBC to collect funds from the estimated 500,000 households which claim not to have a television or only watch programmes on-demand through platforms like the BBC iPlayer.