BBC Chief Proposes Netflix for News to Justify New Levy
Director-general suggests broadening distribution beyond traditional platforms and rethinking the license fee.
BBC Director-General Matt Brittin has proposed placing BBC news content on streaming services like Netflix and social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to better align with audience consumption habits and justify a potential new universal levy. Brittin stated that the current funding model, primarily reliant on the £180 annual license fee, is "no longer fit for purpose."
Speaking on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg program, Brittin argued that BBC content, particularly news, should be available on all platforms where audiences are present. "I think BBC content should be on Netflix, on YouTube, on TikTok, on Spotify, and Instagram, and everywhere where audiences are," he said, emphasizing that this wider distribution is crucial for combating misinformation.
The BBC's income from the license fee has seen a significant decline, dropping by over £1 billion in the past decade. The corporation's 2026 annual report indicated that the number of TV licenses decreased by more than half a million during the 2025/26 financial year.
The current royal charter, which governs the BBC's operations and funding, is set to expire in December 2027. Brittin clarified that the idea of a universal household bill is one of several options being considered as part of the renewal process. He noted that such a model, used by public media in other countries, could lead to lower collection costs and reduced evasion.
Brittin highlighted a potential fairness issue, stating that 94% of households consume BBC content monthly, yet only 80% contribute financially. "So there's a fairness issue there in terms of how we fund the BBC and I think that the principle is if we want a BBC that's for everyone, then it needs to be funded by everyone, and how you get that modernisation is critical," he explained.
The director-general advocated for reforms that would allow the BBC to offer its services universally and adapt to modern viewing habits. "What we're advocating is reform that allows us to offer the services universally and that is modernised towards where people are watching today," Brittin added.