Netflix users could be forced to pay BBC licence fee under new plans
Netflix users could be forced to pay BBC licence fee under new plans
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Netflix users could be forced to pay for a TV licence even if they don’t watch the BBC under new plans. At the moment, you only need a TV licence if you watch live programmes or use BBC iPlayer. But the Government is looking at ways of funding the BBC after its current Royal Charter - which is an agreement between the BBC and the Government and sets out how the corporation is funded - expires in 2027.
As well as extending the licence fee to include those who only use streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, another alternative that has been reported includes introducing an advertising or subscription model to replace the TV licence, Bloomberg reported.
Ministers are also said to be looking at charging those who listen to BBC radio, and a tiered license fee could be introduced to help lower-income homes. The TV license fee currently costs £169.50 but is rising to £174.50 this April. It raises around £3.7 billion a year and accounted for 65% of the BBC's total income in 2022/23.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We want everyone to get value from the BBC, which is why we’re focused on delivering what audiences want from us – trusted news, the best homegrown storytelling and the moments that bring us together. “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 look forward to engaging with government on the next Charter and securing the long term future of the BBC.”.
