The BBC should pay for itself through advertising rather than through taxes, poll finds (Polls have been showing this for years)
More than half the public think the BBC television licence fee should be scrapped and the BBC forced to find new ways to fund itself, according to a poll published today.
The broadcaster should generate income from advertising rather than relying on taxes or higher BBC licence fee funds, the findings suggest.
There is also substantial support for replacing the BBC licence fee with a voluntary subscription charge which is paid only by those wanting to view BBC programmes.
The results, from a survey of more than 2,000 people by ComRes, come as ministers and BBC executives prepare for the government’s review of the broadcaster’s charter in 2016.
The new Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid, has indicated he is prepared to be radical in reconsidering the BBC’s funding. He told the Telegraph in May that many families find the current £145.50 BBC licence fee “a lot of money” to pay each year.
The poll, commissioned by the Whitehouse Consultancy media analysts, found 51 per cent would support the idea of abolishing the BBC licence fee and making the BBC fund itself.
They backed the move even if it led to advertisements during programmes, a cut in the number of original programmes the BBC produces the abolition of the BBC’s “public service” broadcast duty.
A third of those questioned in the poll supported the idea of abolishing the BBC licence fee in favour of a subscription model.
Chris Whitehouse, Chairman of the Whitehouse Consultancy, said: “There clearly isn’t solid support for the BBC licence fee model and the public appears willing to consider alternative means of funding the BBC, as long as abolishing the BBC licence fee doesn’t mean higher taxes instead.
“These figures show the huge job of work still be done by the BBC if it is to have a strong hand in the future in renegotiating the BBC licence fee and justifying why the public should continue to pay it.
”The BBC is a world renowned institution of which I am a keen supporter (Clearly not neutral then), and it is alarming that its support-base has been allowed to erode to this low level.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “In fact, support for the BBC licence fee is higher today at 53 per cent of the population than ten years ago when it was 31 per cent, and our research shows the licence fee remains the most popular way of funding the BBC across all ages and backgrounds – it’s tremendous value, and ensures that everyone gets access to great content that informs, educates and entertains.”
Please take note the BBC don’t give a source for the support being higher, that report must still be in Laa Laa Land