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Outgoing Director General Tim Davie British Broadcasting Corporation, It warned that the company was in “serious danger” unless the current licensing fee system was overhauled.
most The BBC is funded by license feesThe current annual cost per UK household is £174.50. Free for ages 75 and over. License fees raised a total of £3.8bn in the 12 months to March 2025, but non-payment of license fees has been increasing in recent years.
in new interview this guardian, David Admits the BBC could be “in trouble” if the system is not changed.
“We do want to reform licensing fees,” he said. “However, we are not just looking to increase the amount we receive from households.
“My biggest concern is that we just keep going and think everything is going to be fine. We don’t reform enough. At that point, we don’t get regulatory reform and greater flexibility. That’s my biggest concern. I think if we don’t do that, we’re going to be in trouble.”
David expressed reservations about the BBC moving to an advertising or subscription model, stressing the importance of maintaining a “universal service”.
“The truth is, the danger is high,” he continued. “The BBC was never really in serious danger. What do I mean by that? Of course it had a lot of dramatic and editorial crises at the time. But it wasn’t actually a mortal danger for the BBC.
“For the BBC, if it’s not relevant, it’s in mortal danger… If we are to survive, we need permission to change… We have to stand up and fight for it.”
First launched in 1946, any household watching or recording live TV on any channel and/or using BBC iPlayer must pay a license fee. According to BBC estimates, the license fee evasion rate increased from 10.58% to 11.3% in the 10 years to March 2024.
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In 2023/24, license fees will contribute 68% of the BBC’s funding. The remaining revenue comes from commercial projects and activities such as grants, royalties and rental income. The current system will last until at least December 2027, when the current charter expires.
back Worked at the BBC for 20 yearsDavid is now resigning from his position.
The outgoing director-general resigned in November in the aftermath of panoramic Editor of Donald Trump Speeches.
“We are going to walk to the Capitol and cheer on our brave senators, congressmen and congresswomen,” Trump said in a speech before the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. More than 50 minutes later, he said in the same speech: “We fight. We fight like hell.”
exist panoramic In the show, the two moments were edited into a clip that appeared to show the President of the United States saying: “We’re going to walk to the Capitol… I’m going to be with you. We fight. We fight like hell.”
News CEO Deborah Turness also resigned in anger.
David’s successor has yet to be announced and as the recruitment process continues it has been suggested he could remain in the role until March 2026.
U.S. President Trump $5bn (£3.7bn) defamation lawsuit launched against BBC In December, he accused the website of “intentionally, maliciously and deceptively tampering” with a speech he gave before the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The BBC has apologized for the clip, which was featured on panoramicbut said the defamation accusations were without merit.