THE BBC licence fee must be scrapped in its current form, top politicians demanded tonight.
Nigel Farage led the charge, saying the telly tax “cannot survive” and is “wholly unsustainable”.
The Beeb’s chair, Samir Shah, and other top brass rejected claims of systemic bias in its news reporting.
But, in Westminster, Reform leader Mr Farage claimed the Beeb has been “institutionally biased for decades”.
He argued the corporation should be “slimmed down” to focus on news, and that in sport and entertainment it should “compete” via subscriptions.
Mr Farage said: “When it comes to entertainment, when it comes to sport and mayn (should read as ‘many’?) other areas like that – well, they should compete against everyone else for a subscription model.
“That is the modern world that we live in.” He added: “So the licence fee as it currently is cannot survive, it is wholly unsustainable.” The Reform chief insisted that unless the Beeb sticks to “straight news” then it “has no future at all”.
The current BBC TV Licence costs £174.50 a year.
Annual reports show 23.8 million licences were in force this year, down around 300,000 on 2023-24.
That plunge has cost the embattled corporation an estimated £50million in revenue.
Downing Street refused to say whether the licence fee is up for discussion in the charter review.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said: “We’re preparing for the upcoming charter review, which we expect to launch in due course, and it will consider a range of issues including how the BBC can continue to prosper supported by a sustainable funding model.”
‘SAVE BBC FROM ITSELF’
Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch warned that “if it wants to justify the licence fee, the BBC needs to reflect a broad spectrum of views in Britain”.
She said: “Those of us who actually believe in the institution are trying to save the BBC from itself.”
Ex-Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries blasted the fee as a “a regressive tax which criminalises people who don’t pay it for not for watching a television is so far outdated”.
She told Times Radio: “It defies explanation.
“The BBC licence fee, that was my issue.
“I do not believe that I should be paying for a licence fee to watch my television.”
TIPS FOR THE TOP JOB
ALEX Mahon, ex-Channel 4 CEO, now CEO at Superstruct Entertainment: Seen as fierce but fair with a good business head but her Channel 4 pedigree counts her out.
Charlotte Moore, ex-BBC chief content officer, now CEO of Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures TV: Well-respected and is said to have actively thrown her hat into the ring.
Jane Turton, former chief creative officer at Channel 4, now CEO of All3Media: Insiders say she has long been viewed as a potential DG with a wealth of experience. Last at the Beeb as BBC One controller in 2010.
Jay Hunt, Apple’s creative director of worldwide video, ex-BBC1 controller: Proven track record for commissioning hit shows including Luther.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s chief content officer: More than 12 years at the Beeb. Has been Director of Unscripted and commissioned The Traitors.
Sir Trevor Phillips, writer, broadcaster and former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission: Tipped by The Spectator to save the BBC with reform, Phillips has a experience across broadcasting and politics.
James Purnell, ex-BBC strategy director and MP, CEO of advisory Flint: The bookies’ favourite to take on the role in 2020, before Davie was hired.
Carolyn McCall, chief exec of ITV: A wildcard, but may be leaving the broadcaster if there is a takeover by Sky.
