Brits have erupted at a BBC licence fee “scam” that would require people to pay even though they do not watch linear television.
Reports have suggested that households that watch streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ may be forced to pay the fee even though they do not use traditional TV services.
Sir Keir Starmer, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are considering ways of funding the BBC as its 11-year charter expires in December 2027.
The licence fee primarily funds the corporation.
This cash is supplemented by income from commercial subsidiaries.
Sky News viewers have shared their thoughts on the potential plan.. One person said: “The BBC TV licence is a scam and needs to be stopped.
“There is no logical reason we still have to pay it. Even for those who watch ‘traditional TV’.”
A different viewer wrote: “The licence fee – it’s like Sainsbury’s saying you owe them for the groceries you’ve just bought at Aldi. It’s nonsense.”
Another person said: “How can they justify charging people to fund the BBC when I watch services such as Netflix and Disney because the BBC is garbage! I will not be paying any such licence!”
Others suggested they would rather live under a dictatorship. A viewer wrote: “Not possible. TV licence was brought in for the BBC, they cannot add Netflix or any streaming service to it.”
“If they do, that breaks the law. Disgusting government in this country. I’d rather live in North Korea.”
Alternative ways to raise money were suggested, with one person advising the BBC to “shut up shop or start advertising”.
A different viewer said: “Why can’t the BBC just put adverts in their programmes to scrap the TV licence? We are all used to other channels doing it.”
Another person mentioned astronomical wages paid to some of the corportation’s biggest stars. They wrote: “Has BBC thought about reducing their high wages?
“Their highly paid staff earn far higher than other professionals in other sectors of the economy. Is the public expected to keep funding this in this cost of living crisis?”
