Prof Steven Barnett on the future of the BBC licence fee

As the debate intensifies over the future of the UK’s TV licence, Prof. Steven Barnett spoke to Saga magazine to weigh in on how the BBC’s funding model might evolve in a rapidly changing media landscape.

With the current BBC Charter set to end in 2027, the licence fee faces mounting political and technological pressure to reform. While many question whether the model can survive in the streaming era, Professor Barnett argues that the core principle behind the licence fee remains vital: “The idea of a TV licence clearly feels anachronistic in a predominantly online world,” he explains. “But the principle of some kind of individual levy to pay for the BBC is important to maintain the direct link between citizens and an institution that operates in the public interest.”

Barnett emphasises that the BBC’s independence — belonging neither to the government nor to private shareholders — depends on this direct financial relationship with the public. He suggests that the model could be adapted through a more progressive, modernised system, moving away from a traditional TV-based levy while maintaining fairness and accountability.

He also warns that further funding cuts would threaten the BBC’s capacity to deliver trusted journalism and high-quality programming, noting that the corporation’s real-term income has already fallen by around 30% in the last 15 years, impacting local news, documentaries, and major drama series.

Read the full article, including guidance on potential changes and how to navigate the current rules, here.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash