BBC TV Licence fee could be reduced to £0 for 24 million UK households

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has confirmed the public broadcaster's licence fee model will continue until at least 2027.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The TV licence fee could be SCRAPPED as an "honest conversation" into the future of the funding begins. Labour Party Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has confirmed the public broadcaster's licence fee model will continue until at least 2027.

But there are plans to review the broadcaster's long-term funding structure. Ms Nandy, speaking today (Friday November 29), has committed to examining all funding options during the next Royal Charter review, which will determine the future of the BBC.

This review will include input from viewers and stakeholders - with the BBC TV licence fee currently paid by 24 million. In July, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: “We are committed to the BBC and we are committed to the licensing arrangements.” Now the new BBC chairman, Dr Samir Shah is expected to say “reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism” are all options being considered in discussions about the corporation’s future.

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Speaking at Leeds Conservatoire, Dr Shah said “reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism” all remain on the table. Dr Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, is also expected to question the “sense of almost perpetual government review over the BBC” and call for innovation and suggest the idea of a permanent BBC Charter.

“If we want a universal public service BBC, that requires a universal funding model. And we have to be realistic that ideas like ad-funding or subscription do not pass that test when it comes to the BBC public service mission,” he said.

“Both introduce a commercial agenda, which means the priority becomes, not how you serve British audiences, but how you profit from them. And putting some or all BBC content behind a paywall is simply not compatible with public service.

“It prioritises the needs of the better off, and leaves behind the poorer, the more marginalised or digitally disenfranchised.”