A new report from the Adam Smith Institute calls for the BBC to move to a voluntary subscription system for its income and give up its licence fee model.
Within the executive summary of the report, written by former BBC producer David Graham, the case against the existing licence fee model is summarised:
Mr Graham argues that a subscription model is the way forward for the BBC:
Tom Clougherty, Executive Director of the Adam Smith Institute adds:
“The status quo will not be an option for the BBC for much longer. The licence fee is already an anachronism, and opposition will grow as technological advances and changing viewing preferences make it even more outdated. But most of the reforms on the agenda at the moment – like scaling back the BBC or sharing licence fee revenues with other broadcasters – risk stifling the potential of the British media. Our proposals, as well as addressing the unfairness of the current system, would set British broadcasters free to make a significant contribution to economic growth.“