Arabic version: بي بي سي تدعو إلى تغييرات كبيرة في هيكل رسوم الترخيص

The BBC has declared that it faces “permanent and irreversible” trends that threaten its survival without a significant overhaul of its funding model. In its initial response to the government’s charter review, the broadcaster highlighted a growing gap between the number of individuals consuming its content and those paying the licence fee. According to The Guardian, 94% of people in the UK continued to use the BBC each month, yet fewer than 80% of households contribute to the licence fee.

The BBC attributes this disparity to the rise of streaming services and digital platforms, which have blurred the lines regarding when a licence fee is required. It noted that the current rules are based on traditional live TV viewing habits, which do not align with contemporary audience behaviors. The broadcaster warned that without reform, there could be a tipping point where those who continue to pay the licence fee may resent the cost, leading to even greater non-compliance.

In its 114-page document, the BBC suggested that the licence fee could be adjusted to be more progressive, potentially lowering costs for certain groups while ensuring broader compliance. The document also proposed that platforms like Netflix and YouTube could assist in informing viewers about the need for a licence when watching live content.

To adapt to the changing media landscape, the BBC is considering hosting content from other public service broadcasters like ITV and Channel 4 on its iPlayer platform. This initiative aims to create a competitive UK-based streaming service that can stand against global giants. The BBC emphasized the need for a sustainable funding model that reflects modern viewing habits, stating that the existing system cannot support its public service mission going forward.