The Culture Secretary has launched the once-in-a-decade review of the BBC’s Royal Charter.
The UK Government said it aimed to with the aim of bolster trust in the broadcaster and put it on a sustainable financial footing.
As part of the Charter renewal process, the UK Government is considering options to ensure the BBC is sustainably funded for decades to come and commands the public’s trust by being independent and accountable to the public it serves, represents all communities across the UK and drives growth, opportunity and good jobs.
It said that the BBC is the cornerstone of the UK’s creative industries, generating £5 billion for the UK economy each year. It is the single biggest investor in UK content and employs more than 20,000 people. The corporation also showcases British culture to the world, reaching 453 million people globally each week, the UK Government said.
In the decade since the last Charter Review, technological change has led to shifts in how and where people consume content, with audiences moving away from traditional broadcasting to online content, it added.
The Charter Review is an opportunity to futureproof the BBC to make sure it not only survives, but thrives for decades to come, the UK Government said. It added that it will seek to ensure that audiences continue to have access to high quality British drama, entertainment and educational content, as well as the corporation’s world-class journalism.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“We want the BBC to continue to enrich people’s lives, tell Britain’s story and showcase our values and culture at home and overseas, long into the future.
“My aims for the Charter Review are clear. The BBC must remain fiercely independent, accountable and be able to command public trust. It must reflect the whole of the UK, remain an engine for economic growth and be funded in a way that is sustainable and fair for audiences.
“As a Government, we will ensure that this Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape and secures its role at the heart of national life.”
The UK Government has published a Green Paper which consults on a wide range of options being considered for the future of the BBC.
People across the UK are being encouraged to give their views on the government’s Green Paper public consultation and answer a set of questions. Responses will be used to help inform policy changes which will be set out in a White Paper expected to be published in 2026.
