BBC boss says £180 TV licence fee is no longer fit for purpose
The BBC's new director-general has described the current £180 TV licence fee as "no longer fit for purpose", saying the broadcaster is being held back by a funding model that no longer reflects how people watch television.
Matt Brittin made the comments as he appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as part of its inquiry into the future of the BBC. The former Google executive, who succeeded Tim Davie almost seven weeks ago, said the corporation needed a funding model that matched modern viewing habits while continuing to provide universal and sustainable funding.
On and on it goes, but the phrase "held back" is interesting. Held back from what? Held back from more money presumably, held back by people deciding that BBC quality isn't worth the licence fee.
Yet if the BBC is no longer fit for purpose, then we are bound to ask which purpose Mr Brittin has in mind to ensure BBC survival. We are bound to ask what Mr Brittin has to offer the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in return for survival. That's what must be on the table, however discreetly obscured, human nature tells us it's on the table.
Is impartial reporting and analysis of government policy and activity on the table? Hardly that, to ask the question is to answer it.
6 comments:
The customer has decided that they prefer the goods in the rival emporium. So change your stock or face going out of business. Simple economics that applies to the BBC as well as any other business.
John - yes that's it, simple economics applies. The BBC clearly wants to escape that into the security of the state, it wants to become state media, but in a more formal and secure sense than at present.
Perhaps a very visible example of why institutions that have been 'marched through' become no longer fit for purpose. So... defund the BBC. It would be a *relatively* easy way of beginning to to roll back the capture of our institutions.
DJ - I agree, with Commons support and determination to resist the outcry it would be easy. Set a deadline for abolishing the licence and that's it.
DJ: "...It would be a *relatively* easy way of beginning to to roll back the capture of our institutions..."
The establishment has no intention at all of rolling back the capture of our institutions.
Peter - and if you try and look like succeeding they will attack you relentlessly until they find some way of neutralising you.
Post a Comment