MPs urge BBC to cut licence fee and extend it beyond television

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 2 Oct, 12:03 · Archive

MPs recommend cutting the licence fee and extending it beyond television-only viewing.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has recommended the BBC reduce the licence fee and expand how it is charged beyond television ownership. The committee suggested the fee should fall from its current £180 per year, with the aim of encouraging more people to pay it.

The MPs also called on the BBC to reform its spending practices. The broadcaster was criticised for outbidding commercial rivals for new programmes and back catalogues to make them available on iPlayer and linear channels, which the committee termed 'illogical'.

In addition to the fee overhaul, the committee recommended the BBC become more independent from political interference. The Evening Standard reported that MPs also suggested the corporation's current charter renewal process should be scrapped.

How it is being reported

• BBC criticised for spending too much money on Meghan's US drama Suits, Shitt's Creek and Scooby Doo as MPs tell it to use licence fee betterThe broadcaster was told to end 'illogical practices' that see it outbid commercial rivals for new programmes and back catalogues to make them available on iPlayer and linear channels.Daily Mail · 1 Oct, 11:12
• BBC told to slash TV licence fee from £180 per year in major overhaulThe recommendations were outlined in a new report from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS)The Independent · 1 Oct, 10:27
• BBC should cut licence fee cost and expand it beyond TV, MPs recommendThe BBC should reform the licence fee so it is no longer "linked to a TV" and couple this with a price drop, MPs have recommended.Sky News · 1 Oct, 01:00
• MPs recommend BBC charter renewal is scrapped and licence fee extended beyond TVA report also said the corporation needed to be more independent from political interference.Evening Standard · 1 Oct, 00:01
• BBC told to slash TV licence fee from £180 per year in major overhaulThe recommendations were outlined in a new report from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS)The Independent · 1 Oct, 00:01
• Bring down cost of licence fee so more people will pay, MPs tell BBCTheir recommendations come in a report by the Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee on the BBC's Royal Charter review.Daily Mail · 30 Sept, 22:45

In this story: BBC · Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee · UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log