United Kingdom

BBC license fee “to be abolished and replaced with a new funding model”

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the BBC’s licensing fee could be reduced and replaced by a new funding model after 2027, Nadine Doris said.

The Minister of Culture said that the current model is “completely outdated” and that in the coming months the ministers will “take very seriously how we finance the BBC”.

Ms Doris said she was also considering how the media regulator Ofcom could “hold the BBC accountable”.

In an interview with Spectator, Ms. Doris said: “Very soon we will announce that we will be very serious about how we fund the BBC.

“We are ready to implement a new way of financing.”

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Ms Doris said she would also investigate “how Ofcom holds the BBC accountable”.

On Thursday, the government published a white paper aimed at implementing broadcasting reforms to “create a new golden age for British television and help national public service broadcasters to prosper”.

The document does not provide further details on BBC funding reforms.

In January, Ms Doris confirmed that the license fee would be frozen at £ 159 for the next two years, before increasing by around 10% over the next four years.

The current licensing fee system could potentially be replaced by a Netflix-style subscription for entertainment and sports.

Another option involves linking the fee to the municipal tax.

Earlier, the culture minister criticized the BBC’s “elitist” and “snobbish” approach and accused the corporation of having too few working-class employees.

This comes after it was revealed that new broadcasting legislation would come into force, allowing viewers to complain about shows and movies on streaming services such as Netflix.

Ofcom will have the power to fine the services up to £ 250,000 if they break the ‘video-on-demand code’ designed to protect the public from harmful content, such as climate change or coronavirus misinformation.

Ministers hope this will level the playing field for traditional broadcasters, which are subject to rules controlled by Ofcom.