UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Proposes Scrapping BBC Licence Fee by End of 2027 for General Taxation Funding

Jan 12, 2025, 09:40 AM

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is considering a radical overhaul of the BBC's funding model, which could involve scrapping the current TV licence fee by the end of 2027. The proposed plan would replace the licence fee with funding sourced from general taxation. This initiative comes amid ongoing concerns about the BBC's relevance and financial sustainability in a changing media landscape. Critics have expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of such a funding model, particularly in light of the Treasury's historical resistance to changes in BBC funding. Furthermore, some commentators have suggested that a subscription model might be a more viable alternative to ensure accountability and modernize the BBC's operations.