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<\/p>\nThe government has paved the way for the BBC to run adverts and launch a Netflix-style subscription service as part of a wide-reaching consultation to make the broadcaster sustainable.<\/p>\n
Along with its proposals to grow its commercial income and reduce its reliance on the \u00a3174.50 licence fee, ministers have also suggested that poorer households pay less as part of measures for targeted \u201cconcessions\u201d.<\/p>\n
Launching the process to renew the BBC\u2019s charter for the next ten years from 2028, the culture secretary compared the corporation to the NHS. <\/p>\n
Lisa Nandy said: \u201cThe BBC is an institution like no other. For over 100 years it has been at the heart of our national life and a light on the hill for people across the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the BBC, alongside the NHS, is one of the two most important institutions in our country. While one is fundamental to the health of our people, the other is fundamental to the health of our democracy. This green paper begins the conversation about how to ensure it remains the beating heart of our nation for decades to come.\u201d <\/p>\n
The initial consultation, which will run for 12 weeks before a white paper is published, aims to make the BBC more \u201csustainable\u201d by further diversifying its income, which totalled \u00a35.9 billion last year.<\/p>\n
Changes include the prospect of allowing the BBC to run adverts across all of its services, in a move that would dismay its commercial broadcast rivals. Limiting the BBC\u2019s ability to carry advertising to its website and videos posted on YouTube was also floated.<\/p>\n
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Hits such as The Traitors and its celebrity version could attract commercial interest<\/p>\n
STUDIO LAMBERT\/PAUL CHAPPELLS\/BBC<\/p>\n
Nandy also opened the door to BBC launching an \u201cexpansive\u201d Netflix-style subscription service, under which it charges for access to more commercial programmes, such as entertainment shows including The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing.<\/p>\n
\u201cContent that remained universally available could include genres such as news, current affairs, factual and children\u2019s TV. More commercially viable TV content could be provided on a fully commercial basis,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
The paper acknowledged that there would be \u201cchallenges\u201d in deciding whether certain British dramas, such as Waterloo Road, and sporting events should sit behind a paywall.<\/p>\n
Charging a \u201ctargeted top-up\u201d paywall around historic BBC shows was also floated as a potential option.<\/p>\n
\u201cAudiences now have much greater choice in what media they consume, and how and when they do so,\u201d the green paper said. \u201cIn this environment, where they are now accustomed to accessing advertising or subscription-funded content everywhere, there is a sense among some audiences that the licence fee has become outdated.\u201d<\/p>\n
The charter review also focuses on ensuring that the BBC \u201ccommands the public\u2019s trust\u201d.<\/p>\n
This includes giving it new powers to counter mis- and disinformation, improving the transparency of its editorial decision-making and introducing specific duties around workplace conduct.<\/p>\n
Tim Davie, the outgoing BBC director-general, has previously admitted that the licence fee is \u201cregressive\u201d and floated the potential for wealthier households to pay more.<\/p>\n
Nandy has also set out an ambition to strengthen its independence by assessing the government\u2019s role in board appointments, after questions were raised following the resignation of Davie and Deborah Turness, former chief executive of BBC News. <\/p>\n
The BBC will also be asked to focus on the role it plays in the nations and regions by placing new obligations on it to invest outside of London.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe BBC is the cornerstone of the UK\u2019s creative industries, generating \u00a35 billion for the UK economy each year. It is the single biggest investor in UK content, employs more than 20,000 people and supports a highly trained workforce,\u201d the DCMS said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe charter review is an opportunity to futureproof the BBC to make sure it not only survives, but thrives for decades to come. It will seek to ensure that audiences continue to have access to high quality British drama, entertainment and educational content, as well as the corporation\u2019s world-class journalism.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The BBC will be expected to focus on areas outside London<\/p>\n
PHILIP TOSCANO\/PA<\/p>\n
Any changes would come into effect from 2028, after the expiration of the present ten-year charter. <\/p>\n
Last year the BBC generated \u00a33.8 billion from the licence fee after it rose to \u00a3174.50 per year. A record \u00a32.2 billion came from BBC Studios \u2014 just over a third of its total income.<\/p>\n
The gains have offset a steady decline in the number of households paying the fee. Some 23.8 million people are signed up, compared with 25.2 million in 2020.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The state of the BBC in numbers: licence fee evasions and public trust<\/a><\/p>\n The green paper\u2019s release comes as the BBC faces a potential $10 billion lawsuit from President Trump<\/a>, who accused the corporation of putting \u201cterrible words in my mouth\u201d in an episode of Panorama broadcast last year. <\/p>\n