Part 8/12:
The licence fee is a relic of a bygone era—one that has faced increasing skepticism as audiences turn to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime for their entertainment. Polls show declining support for the fee, with many viewers calling for the option to choose independent, non-BBC channels instead of being forced to fund a monopoly.
The BBC claims that decriminalizing the licence fee—a move that would remove criminal penalties for non-payment—could cost the organization £1 billion over five years. Abolition would likely require the BBC to explore alternative revenue streams, such as subscriptions or advertising, both of which could threaten its independence and core values.