Broadcast News
11/10/2006
BBC Licence Fee under review
The BBC has confirmed that it has reduced its bid for a hike in the licence fee from 2.3 % to 1.8 % over inflation.
The BBC said it needed an inflation plus 2.3 % to fund a list of expenditures, including the move of 1,800 staff to Manchester, the expansion of interactive services and the promised financial aid to help vulnerable groups switch from analogue to digital TV.
An analysis of the corporation's opening bid by accountants PKF for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport questioned the figures on which the BBC had based its initial bid.
Director General Mark Thompson speaking about digital switchover at the Smith Institute in London on Wednesday commented: "This is a project of great size and intimacy. The risks are formidable. If it is under-resourced it will fail. It's as simple as that - and the failure will impact on many millions of households.
"If you want a BBC which does no more than it is currently doing, then a budget that reduces in real terms - RPI-minus - is the right settlement."
A tough regime of productivity and cost reduction within the BBC over recent years will release an additional £355 million per year for new investment from 2008 - a total of £3 billion over the next charter.
Creative industries minister, Shaun Woodward, is reported as saying the government is still negotiating with the BBC over the size of the licence fee settlement and will not be rushed into deciding a figure.
The revised bid would put the licence fee at around £149 in 2013/14 at today's prices.
The next BBC Charter comes into effect next year and is under review by the government.
(DS/SP)
The BBC said it needed an inflation plus 2.3 % to fund a list of expenditures, including the move of 1,800 staff to Manchester, the expansion of interactive services and the promised financial aid to help vulnerable groups switch from analogue to digital TV.
An analysis of the corporation's opening bid by accountants PKF for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport questioned the figures on which the BBC had based its initial bid.
Director General Mark Thompson speaking about digital switchover at the Smith Institute in London on Wednesday commented: "This is a project of great size and intimacy. The risks are formidable. If it is under-resourced it will fail. It's as simple as that - and the failure will impact on many millions of households.
"If you want a BBC which does no more than it is currently doing, then a budget that reduces in real terms - RPI-minus - is the right settlement."
A tough regime of productivity and cost reduction within the BBC over recent years will release an additional £355 million per year for new investment from 2008 - a total of £3 billion over the next charter.
Creative industries minister, Shaun Woodward, is reported as saying the government is still negotiating with the BBC over the size of the licence fee settlement and will not be rushed into deciding a figure.
The revised bid would put the licence fee at around £149 in 2013/14 at today's prices.
The next BBC Charter comes into effect next year and is under review by the government.
(DS/SP)
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
13/04/2016
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
06/02/2018
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
11/04/2017
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
02/10/2015
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
24/06/2002
Grade backs BBC/Sky bid for DTT licence
The former chief executive of Channel 4, Michael Grade, has given his backing to the BBC in their bid to gain the free-to-air DTT licence given up by
Grade backs BBC/Sky bid for DTT licence
The former chief executive of Channel 4, Michael Grade, has given his backing to the BBC in their bid to gain the free-to-air DTT licence given up by
12/06/2002
BBC and BSkyB prepare joint bid for free-to-air digital licence
The BBC is reportedly close to an agreement with BSkyB to launch a joint bid for the free-to-air digital terrestrial licence returned to the Independe
BBC and BSkyB prepare joint bid for free-to-air digital licence
The BBC is reportedly close to an agreement with BSkyB to launch a joint bid for the free-to-air digital terrestrial licence returned to the Independe
21/05/2015
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
04/11/2014
Production News - RTS Announces Craft & Design Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/2014. The winners will be announced at a ceremon
Production News - RTS Announces Craft & Design Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/2014. The winners will be announced at a ceremon
29/09/2017
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
06/11/2001
BBC BRING TOGETHER BBC WORLD SERVICE AND BBC WORLD
THE BBC are to create a single integrated international news and information division, bringing together BBC World Service and BBC World. The aim is t
BBC BRING TOGETHER BBC WORLD SERVICE AND BBC WORLD
THE BBC are to create a single integrated international news and information division, bringing together BBC World Service and BBC World. The aim is t
15/08/2007
BBC Resources Limited Prepares For Sale
The BBC has announced that the process for the sale of its commercial subsidiary, BBC Resources Limited, has begun and an advertisement is to appear i
BBC Resources Limited Prepares For Sale
The BBC has announced that the process for the sale of its commercial subsidiary, BBC Resources Limited, has begun and an advertisement is to appear i
14/06/2010
BBC Licence Fee Set For Debate
The way in which the BBC is funded in the future is to be further analysed. The Government intends to discuss whether a TV licence fee "is the right w
BBC Licence Fee Set For Debate
The way in which the BBC is funded in the future is to be further analysed. The Government intends to discuss whether a TV licence fee "is the right w
16/01/2007
Licence Fee Payers To Have Tighter Rein On Strategic Direction Of BBC
For the first time, licence fee payers will have a say in how the BBC delivers its mission to inform, educate and entertain. The new Charter and Agree
Licence Fee Payers To Have Tighter Rein On Strategic Direction Of BBC
For the first time, licence fee payers will have a say in how the BBC delivers its mission to inform, educate and entertain. The new Charter and Agree
11/10/2005
BBC regions welcome licence fee proposals
Audiences in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland will benefit directly from enhanced local services as a result of significant investment from the pr
BBC regions welcome licence fee proposals
Audiences in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland will benefit directly from enhanced local services as a result of significant investment from the pr
11/10/2005
BBC launches case for new licence fee settlement
The BBC has unveiled its case for an increased licence fee settlement to "ensure that it continues to deliver value to licence payers" as moves contin
BBC launches case for new licence fee settlement
The BBC has unveiled its case for an increased licence fee settlement to "ensure that it continues to deliver value to licence payers" as moves contin