Cable Forum - View Single Post - BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s

**Chris** · 11-06-2019, 13:04

The problem is that the BBC’s size and reach is such that disrupting it in any way is not a trivial business. Putting it behind a paywall would reduce its income substantially with implications for those directly employed by the Beeb and also by the creative agencies it engages to make content for it. Making it a commercial PSB on the same model as ITV would disrupt the entire broadcasting landscape in the UK by creating a lot more advert space and driving down its value. Changing the BBC’s funding model is also politically difficult as the BBC enjoys widespread public support.

11-06-2019, 13:04	#54
Chris Trollsplatter Cable Forum Team Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North of Watford Services: Humane elimination of all common Internet pests Posts: 36,909	Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s The problem is that the BBC’s size and reach is such that disrupting it in any way is not a trivial business. Putting it behind a paywall would reduce its income substantially with implications for those directly employed by the Beeb and also by the creative agencies it engages to make content for it. Making it a commercial PSB on the same model as ITV would disrupt the entire broadcasting landscape in the UK by creating a lot more advert space and driving down its value. Changing the BBC’s funding model is also politically difficult as the BBC enjoys widespread public support.