Former culture secretary warns Netflix revolution has made BBC licence fee unsustainable
The last culture secretary to renegotiate the BBC charter has claimed that the licence fee is now 'unsustainable' and must be replaced by an alternative form of funding.
Sir John Whittingdale has responded to a new report which suggests that viewers have turned off from the BBC and moved to streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.
It comes just ahead of the Labour government opening talks for the next charter renewal.
While Sir John has not specified a preferred option, theBBC could turn to advertising or a new version of the licence fee. One of the options understood to be on the table is that viewers of Netflix, Amazon and Disney Plus who do not watch the BBC may be forced to pay the licence fee in the future.
The former Tory minister said: 'The broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since the last BBC charter review with more and more people choosing to subscribe to streaming services. At the same time, the number refusing to pay a licence fee is growing each year putting increasing pressure on the BBC's finances.
'It is plain that the compulsory licence fee model cannot be sustained for much longer and that we need to begin the debate now about the role of the BBC going forward and how best to fund it."
He was responding to the report 'Outdated, Outpaced and Out of Touch: The Future of the BBC Licence Fee ', from Defund the BBC, warning that the BBC is a 'shadow of its former self' with serious doubts over the licence fee model being 'in the best interests of the taxpaying public' and 'unsustainable' in the modern age.
Analysis suggests that, in a record first, Brits will spend more on streaming services than traditional TV packages in 2025. If this proves accurate, it will have taken only 13 years for streaming platforms to have eclipsed traditional broadcast media.
It also claimed that the BBC reputation for impartiality has been damaged with only 25 per cent believing it is neutral now.
However, the BBC has hit back at the criticism.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'This report contains inaccuracies and selective use of out-of-date statistics.
'The BBC is the most used media brand in the UK, BBC iPlayer is the country's fastest growing streaming service, and more than 80 per cent of adults use the BBC on average each week.
'The public cares about the BBC and this year, we will launch our biggest ever public engagement exercise so audiences can help drive and shape what they want from a universal and independent BBC in the future. We want to continue to reform and evolve and look forward to engaging with government on the next Charter and securing the long term future of the BBC.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
12 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Sex Pistols' John Lydon gives the reason why he will never appear on Celebrity Big Brother
Sex Pistols' John Lydon gives the reason why he will never appear on Celebrity Big Brother The Pretty Vacant singer has vowed to never enter the CBB house He left the jungle just a few days into the competition (Image: ITV ) Former Sex Pistols singer John Lydon will never appear on Celebrity Big Brother because the programme is beneath him. The 69-year-old musician - who was known as Johnny Rotten during his time in the iconic punk band - gets offered opportunities to appear on television but is usually uninterested in the shows offered to him. The Pretty Vacant singer has vowed to never enter the CBB house because he doesn't want to be known as a celebrity. When asked if he would ever consider going on Celebrity Big Brother, he said: "That's too low for me, that's silly. "I'm not trying to be a celebrity. Whatever I am it's always been done in spite of that nonsense. I'm the accidental celebrity." John did appear on ITV reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004 and earned many new fans due to his non-nonsense approach to jungle life and his clashes with former glamour model Katie Price, who used the name Jordan for her photo shoots and work at that time. He famously branded Katie a "Page 3 blow-up balloon" during one bust-up. Article continues below Although Lydon quit after a few days, storming out of camp in the middle of the night after he wasn't voted off by the British public, the programme proved to be a significant moment in his later career and he appeared in a series of advertisements promoting Country Life butter afterwards. John - who is currently on tour with his band Public Image Ltd - is grateful he got the chance to appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! because it allowed people to see who he really is as a man as opposed what they perceived him to be because of his Johnny Rotten persona. In an interview with website Contact Music, he said: "Things like I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! helped. "That gave people the chance to see me for how I really was 24/7 with a camera on me. "I'm practical in life. If it's cold I'll light a fire. You can't drink the water in the jungle so you boil it, common sense things. That's just how I am." John did not accept a fee for his time in Australia on the show, instead asking ITV to give money to several charities he supported. Article continues below He said: "My god, they bothered me for years, and I wouldn't do it, but they guaranteed they would pay certain charities that I was affectionate towards. So I did it for that."
Wales Online
17 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Line-up unveiled for crime writing festival with guest programmer Sir Ian Rankin
Line-up unveiled for crime writing festival with guest programmer Sir Ian Rankin The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival schedule unveiled on Thursday also features Horrible Histories author Terry Deary Authors Kate Atkinson, Kathy Reichs and Jo Nesbo will be among those appearing at an "incredibly welcoming" crime writing festival guest programmed by Sir Ian Rankin. The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival schedule unveiled on Thursday also features Horrible Histories author Terry Deary, doctor turned comedian Adam Kay and broadcasters Steph McGovern, Jeremy Vine and the Rev Richard Coles. Sir Ian, creator of the detective John Rebus, is the first guest programmer for the festival, which takes place in Stirling in September. In a nod to the police officer, the programme also includes James McPherson who made his name in Taggart and narrates the Rebus audiobooks, and former Coronation Street star Gray O'Brien, who recently played Rebus on stage. Scottish writers on the line-up include Chris Brookmyre (with Marisa Haetzman as Ambrose Parry), Denise Mina, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Alex Gray, Lin Anderson and Judy Murray. Sir Ian said he has some experience of programming as he has been involved in a small festival in Cromarty, and he was thrilled everyone he asked to take part in Bloody Scotland agreed. Article continues below He said: "You get in touch with writers you admire, you say we've got a festival going on, would you fancy coming along? I'll be interviewing you on stage, and nobody said, no, which is a real thrill. "So we've got everybody from Philippe Sands, who's a human rights lawyer, talking about human rights violations in South America, to Kate Atkinson talking about Edinburgh and other things as well, Kathy Reichs coming from North America. "We've got a whisky and music night, which will be fantastic with two musicians who've turned their hands to writing books, and a bunch of other stuff besides." Sir Ian said the festival includes a wide selection of authors ranging from the cosy to the "hard-boiled", as well as non-fiction writers. He added: "It's an incredibly welcoming festival. The fans, the readers, the authors all mingle. There's no differentiation between them because all the authors are also fans." Festival director Bob McDevitt said: "It has been an absolute joy working with the legendary Sir Ian Rankin on this year's programme and I think he has helped to deliver one of our strongest-ever line-ups. "There are so many treats in store for our audiences this year, from established names writing at the very top of their game to brand new voices bringing a different perspective to the crime genre – roll on September." Others appearing include actor Joey Batey who was in The Witcher on Netflix, Chris Chibnall, creator and writer of Broadchurch, and American crime writer Laura Lippman who will be on stage with Mark Billingham. Fringe events at the festival this year will include a "Day of the Deid" procession led by Sir Ian and the winners of the two prizes, and Sir Ian's Whisky Night with songs from James Yorkston and Colin MacIntyre. Alan Bett, head of literature and publishing at Creative Scotland said: "Bloody Scotland brings the big names of crime writing to Stirling each year, and 2025 offers an incredible list of authors, enhanced by Ian Rankin's role as guest programmer. "Of huge importance is the platforming of emergent writers. Bloody Scotland provides new Scottish authors the opportunity to launch their careers and build readerships, and for Scotland's fans of crime fiction, the chance to find their next favourite book." The festival takes place in various venues including the Albert Halls, Trinity Church, Central Library and The Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling from September 12-14. Article continues below Sir Ian previously said: "Bloody Scotland manages to remain the world's friendliest and most inclusive crime fiction festival while also attracting the biggest and brightest names in the business to the city of Stirling. It's epic." The author has been involved in Bloody Scotland since its inception, has captained the Scotland crime writers' football team and has led the event's torchlight procession through the streets of Stirling. More information can be found at
Wales Online
17 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Doctor Who animated series coming to CBeebies
Doctor Who animated series coming to CBeebies The TARDIS will be landing on the pre-school channel The BBC has announced a new Doctor Who animation for CBeebies. The TARDIS will be landing on the pre-school channel and the BBC is searching for a production company to create and produce the series, which will run independently from the main television series, which is overseen by showrunner Russell T. Davies. Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children's and Education, said: "Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor! "This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience get to experience the wonder and the magic of the Doctor in a brand new format. "This is an extremely exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to welcoming companies to pitch for this new project, as we continue our commitment and investment in the UK's animation industry." The Doctor Who animated series will run for 26 episodes across 2027 and 2028 and a further 26 episodes across 2028 and 2029. Article continues below The pitch for the animated series states that "the BBC is looking for a passionate production company to create and produce the series, which will run independently from the main show, that will see the Doctor travelling through time and space for the pre-school audience, solving mysteries and problems alongside their companions and other friends. And, of course, they may come up against one or two challenges on their way...". The deadline for initial submissions is 10 July 2025. The announcement of the new CBeebies animated series comes after Ncuti Gatwa left his role as the Fifteenth Doctor in the finale of the most recent series titled The Reality War. Viewers saw Ncuti's Time Lord regenerate into Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who for several years. It is not yet known if Billie is the Sixteenth Doctor or Rose or a different character. Following the surprise regeneration, Russell said: "What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights." Article continues below On her shock return, Billie said: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse, but who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see."
