Story perspectives

BBC faces funding overhaul as £11 internet levy considered

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 2:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Labour ministers consider scrapping the TV licence fee and replacing it with an £11-a-month internet levy.
The Social Market Foundation proposes the levy apply to all broadband households, even without live TV.
BBC director-general Matt Brittin backs a mandatory household levy and a separate streaming levy to fund the corporation.
The report warns up to 63 % of BBC content could disappear, threatening programmes like Strictly Come Dancing and Planet Earth.

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Story summary

Labour ministers consider scrapping the TV licence fee and replacing it with an £11-a-month internet levy.
The Social Market Foundation proposes the levy apply to all broadband households, even without live TV.
BBC director-general Matt Brittin backs a mandatory household levy and a separate streaming levy to fund the corporation.
The report warns up to 63 % of BBC content could disappear, threatening programmes like Strictly Come Dancing and Planet Earth.