BBC faces 8% funding cut

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BBC faces 18% funding cut --

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 10:54

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According to Rapid TV News, the BBC could be forced to meet the cost of free television licences for the over-75 age group as part of £12 billion in welfare cuts are to be announced in the UK Governments budget on Wednesday, 8 July.

The £650 million budget slash represents almost a fifth of the BBCs £3.7 billion fee income, with 4.5 million licences expected to be paid for by the corporation at a cost of £145.50 each instead of the governments Department of Work and Pensions, reports The Sunday Times.

As a softener, the BBC will reportedly be able to charge for use of its iPlayer and other online catch-up services to recoup some of its lost income both from funding cuts and due to changing viewing habits as more people choose online video rather than live TV.

The news comes just days after the UK public service broadcaster announced it was to axe over 1,000 jobs following a funding shortfall of £150 million in 2016-17.

Chancellor George Osborne, speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr political talk show on 5 July, also warned that the BBC should rein in the imperial ambitions of its popular website as it threatens to completely crowd out national newspapers.

His comments come as the government prepares to negotiate on the renewal of the BBCs Royal Charter, with a green paper expected in coming weeks.

The BBC is a publicly funded public institution. It does need to make savings as we get our house in order. We are in discussions with the BBC ... and I am absolutely sure that they can make a contribution, Osborne told Andrew Marr.

The BBCs current Royal Charter and Agreement came into force in 2006 and is due to expire in December 2016.

Source: Rapid TV News

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