The Government has launched a major public consultation that will influence decisions on the future scope and funding of the BBC.
The consultation is part of a wider review of the BBC’s remit and structure, including governance and public obligations, ahead of the renewal of its Royal Charter.
The BBC’s Royal Charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC as a public service broadcaster. The current Charter expires in December 2027. Charter renewal provides scope for the Government of the day to make changes to the way the BBC operates. The last Charter renewal resulted in Ofcom gaining new regulatory powers over the BBC.
Recent research indicates the BBC is still valued and trusted by a majority of the public. However, there’s a growing number of people who are keen to see the BBC reformed. Notably, an increasing amount of homes no longer pay the licence fee.
The Government also wants to review the BBC’s role in view of changes to the way many consume media content. It’s signalled it wants to make it easier for the BBC to make more content available on third-party platforms, including YouTube.
WHAT’S IN THE CONSULTATION?
The Government is considering and seeking views on:
Reform of the licence fee, whether licence fee concessions should be updated, and options for the BBC to generate more commercial revenue;
Options for funding the World Service and supporting sustainable funding for minority language broadcasting, including S4C.
Giving the BBC new responsibilities to counter mis/disinformation, potentially alongside additional requirements on media literacy to help the public navigate technological change and develop digital skills, including around AI;
Strengthening the BBC’s independence so that the public continues to have trust in the organisation and its programmes and content, including considering the government’s role in board appointments.
In preparation for the Charter Renewal, the BBC undertook its own consultation earlier this year. It’s used the responses to state its case to Government. However, the Government consultation is the one that counts. Both members of the public and the media industry are invited to provide feedback.
How to take part
The public consultation is live until 23:59 GMT on Tuesday 10 March 2026.
You can read the associated documents on gov.uk.
The consultation form is available online only.
Following the conclusion of the review and consultation, a draft of the new Charter will then be published and debated in Parliament. The Charter Review will complete with the granting of a new Charter for the BBC from 2028.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: BBC