Great Britain: BBC will no longer be funded by fees from 2027

As of: 7:00 PMReading Time: 2 Minutes

DThe British government wants to phase out fee funding for the public broadcaster BBC. Culture Minister Nadine Dorries announced this in a letter Several British media reports, including the Guardian. According to this, BBC funding is to be stopped for two years and from 2027 the fee model is to be completely abolished. This decision was confirmed by government circles.

The annual fee will remain at the current level of 159 pounds (about 190 euros) per year until 2024 and will increase again slightly over the next three years. According to reports, this is the definitive final fee announcement, Doris said. “It is time to discuss new ways of funding and marketing,” said the Minister of Culture.

Big blow for BBC: The broadcaster will have to develop a new financing model and negotiate with the government in a few years. According to the daily newspaper The Guardian, a subscription model or partial privatization could be envisioned. Critics say it could jeopardize the independence of the BBC and cost many jobs.

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“Heineken” Effect

In the past, the Conservative government in Great Britain has repeatedly criticized the public broadcaster’s previous funding model and cut funding several times. At the same time, the cost of BBC programs has recently risen sharply due to high inflation and increased competition from streaming services. The government’s decision put a lot of pressure on the broadcaster The Guardian quotes the BBC. “There is very good reason to invest in what the BBC can do for British society.”

Voices are rising in the British media that the decision is being seen as an attempt to gain more approval for Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his current crisis. Johnson was criticized for allegedly attending parties at the government headquarters in Downing Street several times during the UK lockdown.