The BBC's new Director General, Tim Davie, is planning for a future two-tier TV licence fee.
Under the proposal viewers would be able to opt for a standard or premium package, depending on the BBC content they were interested in.
The premium package is likely to feature BBC blockbusters like Bodyguard, Killing Eve and Noughts And Crosses.
The standard package, which would include news and childrens' programming, would be aimed at those who mainly watch subscription services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Earlier this week Davie, who is viewed as the potential saviour of the BBC, signalled his opposition to the abolition of the TV licence fee as its main source of funding.
As the legislation currently stands it is a criminal offence for a person to receive TV programmes, or BBC on-demand programmes, in any property that is not covered by a valid TV licence. Even though the TV licence exclusively funds the BBC, a TV licence is needed to view programmes at the same time as they are broadcast on any TV channel. The legislation is unfair, outdated and unenforceable.
A source told The Sun: "This is all at a very early stage but the two-tier structure is being discussed at the higher echelons.
"You would effectively have a cut-price version including the main aspects of telly and radio stations.
"But there would be a gear-change with the next offer to the public, which could include the high-production dramas and possibly some sports.
"The view is very clear that the corporation has to stay relevant.
"People now have so many add-on services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, that they feel they may not be using a lot of what the BBC has to offer.
"By offering a smaller product, it's likely to win over those who dip in but don’t watch, listen or read BBC output as much as before."
Mr Davie outlined his views during a speech in Cardiff this week where he said the corporation must "act now" so that "more people feel the BBC is for them".
He said: "Our aim is not to beat others at their own game. It is to focus on being more, rather than less, BBC. More distinctive and committed to our unique public-service mission.
"We do not need all of everyone’s media time but we do need habitual use of the BBC and a deep attachment to at least some of our content.
"For the avoidance of doubt, I do not want a subscription BBC that serves the few.
"That would make us just another media company serving a specific group."
A BBC spokesperson denied any work was currently underway into a two-tier offering.
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3 comments:
How about "No" Mr. Davie? Does that work for you? Because it damn well works wonders for me.
I don't want to subsidise your left-wing propaganda in any way, shape or form, which is why I told your organization to get stuffed in 2008 when I moved house and have never contacted you again despite your many and continued threats if I don't do so.
The BBC is little more than a nest of Marxists that deserves, even demands it be pulled off the public teat. Maybe in the wilds fighting to survive amongst the likes of Netflix and Amazon the BBC will remember what it has lost by selling its soul.
Any shred of decency the BBC still had was lost when it repudiated its license fee commitment to both the UK government and the over 75's.
I look forward to watching the BBC both hobbled and humbled for that alone, as I am sure do many others.
How would they make a two-tier system work? Put their standard out on Freeview at £157.50 and their other content as an add-on through TV APP or on Sky, Virgin or NowTV and charge more for that content?
Their standard content is likely to be loads of repeats and the odd show that would be broadcast on the standard and premium channel. All sport would likely be on the premium content platform.
I could also see them keeping any channel with "LIVE AS SHOWN" content being an offence whether the charge is decriminalised or not.
The BBC should have put their content behind a paywall in Jan 2013 but they just like fleecing the people and will do as long as they can get away with it.
I'm all for a two-tier system. Tier 1 - watch the BBC and pay for it. Tier 2 - don't watch the BBC and don't pay for it. Works fine for every other media platform out there.
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