Adverts and paywalls could be introduced across BBC platforms under plans for the biggest shake-up at the broadcasting service in a decade
Adverts and paywalls could be introduced across BBC platforms under plans for the biggest shake-up at the broadcasting service in a decade.
It could mean fan favourite shows – such as Strictly Come Dancing or the Traitors – have advert breaks or are put behind blockers that require viewers to pay extra to watch.
The proposals are part of a huge review of the BBC, which is struggling to keep up with new streaming platforms like Netflix amid a decline in people paying for TV licences.
Ministers are considering reform of the BBC licence fee model, including options for the BBC to generate more commercial cash. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is said to be committed to the licence fee. But she is also looking at introducing a subscription tier, allowing advertising and charging richer households more to watch the service.
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The Government will collect evidence on the options as part of its BBC Charter Review, which was launched on Tuesday and is the first review of its kind in a decade. A public consultation will run until March.
It comes amid concerns British families are dodging the licence fee and using their cash to pay for subscriptions like Netflix.
Its green paper – which sets out the options the Government will look at – sets out a range of possibilities, from bringing in targeted advertising to full scale adverts across all BBC platforms.
One option could include carrying advertising on the BBC’s services, “while continuing to make them universally available”. “On the more fundamental options of advertising and subscription, we are considering options ranging from targeted advertisements on bbc.co.uk or YouTube, to full advertising across all BBC platforms,” the document says.
“We are also considering a targeted top-up subscription service for historic BBC content, increasing to a more expansive subscription service where commercial programmes are behind a paywall.”
Ms Nandy said: “As a government, we will ensure that this Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape and secures its role at the heart of national life.”
The number of UK households holding a TV licence – which costs £174.50 a year – has fallen by 2.4 million since its peak in 2017/18.
This is partly driven by an increasing number of households declaring they no longer need a TV licence because they do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport said.
The green paper includes a wide range of options for helping people access the BBC. It said it will consider improvements to current concessions, which include free TV licences for the over 75s, and whether there is scope to any new targeted interventions. It noted how Germany gives concessions to individuals who receive social benefits and to some students.
Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie said the BBC wants change “so we can continue to deliver for the UK for generations to come”.
“We welcome the publication of the Government’s Green Paper and the start of the public consultation on the future of the BBC”, he said. “We urge everyone who cares about the success of the UK’s world-leading creative industries to have their say.
“At the BBC we want change so we can continue to deliver for the UK for generations to come. We want to secure a public service BBC that is independent, sustainably funded for the long term, and meets our audience’s needs.”
The current BBC Charter expires in December 2027, with the granting of a new Charter for the BBC expected from 2028.