BBC could make wealthy pay more for licence fee

Director-general says payment system ‘needs reform’ but rules out advertising on television channels

The BBC director-general is open to making the wealthy pay more for the licence fee, acknowledging that the current system “needs reform”.
Tim Davie said the corporation would also look at licence fee non-payment and whether criminalisation is the best option to enforce compliance.
“There is no doubt that the market has changed hugely since the licence fee was introduced, and I think it is right to ask fundamental questions about its longevity,” the director-general told the Royal Television Society.
“Given the changes in technology and audience behaviour, we will proactively research how we reform the licence fee post-2028, looking at its definition, whether it can and should be made more progressive, and ensuring that its enforcement is fair and proportionate. The licence fee needs reform, in my view.”
The licence fee currently stands at £159. Asked whether linking it to income would require means-testing, Mr Davie said that was not necessarily the case and “there could be a number of ways of making it progressive”.
Expecting the current licence fee arrangement to continue into the next decade is no longer an option, he said, adding: “I do think the idea of just sitting where we’re at is the wrong one.”
He described the licence fee as “precious” and did not discuss alternatives, saying the BBC must remain a universal service.
The BBC will launch a public consultation on the issue next year. Mr Davie said: “Our most important relationship will be with the public, who own us and pay for us. 
“We will aim to reach and get feedback from up to one million members of the public, beginning next year, so their views are at the heart of the debate about the future BBC.”
In his speech, Mr Davie said that the corporation would also look at ways of boosting commercial income, forging more partnerships in the style of its deal with Disney over Doctor Who and finding new ways of monetising its archive.
The BBC is also introducing adverts on some of its podcasts, but Mr Davie assured viewers that there would be no commercial advertising on its television channels, saying: “Kellogg’s will not be advertising on BBC One.”