BBC or BBC PLC?: A DCMS Response

BBC or BBC?: A DCMS Response

BBC Broadcasting House
BBC Broadcasting House, London

In my previous article, ‘BBC or BBC PLC?: Government Policy Needs to be Clarified‘, I presented a number of important issues for debate. Of special concern is the answer to the question: would the BBC become a Public Limited Company (PLC) if it were no longer funded through the existing television licence fee model?

In June 2021, I wrote to Oliver Dowden CBE MP, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to comment on my  BBC article. I am publishing the DCMS response for public information purposes and as a matter of record. The DCMS response, dated 7th July 2021, is published below.
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BBC or BBC PLC ?

BBC or BBC PLC ?:  Government Policy Needs to be Clarified

Boris Johnson test card
PM Boris Johnson – Will it be the BBC or BBC PLC?

There is much debate about the direction of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and many people have called for the TV licence fee to be scrapped. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been concerned enough to speak about the so-called the ‘woke’ agenda. Mr Johnson has threatened to scrap the TV licence fee if matters do not improve, and turn the BBC into a subscription fee service. If this happened, the BBC would need to be privatised, and it would become BBC PLC (Public Limited Company) a commercial broadcaster and subscription service.

These are uncertain times for the BBC, but how did it reach this parlous state? Continue reading “BBC or BBC PLC ?”