The BBC TV Licence could be reformed or replaced as all options are being considered by the corporation’s new Chairman. The annual fee faced years of scrutiny under the Conservative government, with it being frozen for two years at £159 before it was increased at a lower rate than the corporation expected, bringing the charge to £169.50 in April.
In July, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: “We are committed to the BBC and we are committed to the licensing arrangements.” Now the new BBC chairman, Dr Samir Shah is expected to say “reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism” are all options being considered in discussions about the corporation’s future. In his first major speech since taking over the role earlier this year, the chairman will discuss the future governance and funding of the BBC when he speaks to leading media figures and decision makers at Leeds Conservatoire on Tuesday.
The former government announced a review into the corporation’s licence fee model, which will look at alternative funding for the broadcaster’s operations for when its current charter period ends in December 2027. Speaking at Leeds Conservatoire, Dr Shah will say “reforming the licence fee, replacing it, or coming up with a whole new mechanism” all remain on the table. Dr Shah, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years, is also expected to question the “sense of almost perpetual government review over the BBC�.