The Government Is Considering Making People Who Only Use Streaming Services Like Netflix And Disney Pay The BBC Licence Fee
23 Jan 2025
The government is reportedly looking into asking Netflix and Disney+ viewers to contribute to a licence fee to secure the future of the BBC.
Extending the fee to streaming applications is on a menu of options being discussed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, the Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, as the government considers funding options to support the broadcaster when it reviews the BBC’s current Royal Charter, which will end in 2027.
Other options include allowing British Broadcasting Corp. to use advertising, imposing a specific tax on streaming services, and asking those who listen to BBC radio to pay a fee.
The license fee dates back to 1946, when consumers watched programs at the time of broadcast. It currently costs households who watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer £169.50 ($210.60) a year, an amount that usually rises annually with inflation.
A TV licence is also needed to stream shows live on services such as YouTube and Prime Video.