UK minister considers extending licence fee to streaming services

British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is considering plans to extend the annual 180 pound BBC licence fee to users of major streaming platforms. The Daily Mail and The Telegraph both report that the proposals could apply to users of services such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and YouTube. The Daily Mail reported that the plan is intended to boost BBC funding following a sharp decline in licence fee payments. [1][2]

The potential changes are part of a funding blueprint expected before Christmas, according to the Daily Mail. Popular series currently on Netflix include the Canadian supernatural drama Below, which stars American actor Josh Hartnett. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Below recently reached the top of the Netflix charts. [1][10]

In separate broadcasting developments, Nandy has announced that she is minded to intervene in a 1.6 billion pound takeover deal, according to The Guardian. Sky announced a deal to purchase the broadcasting and streaming arm of ITV over the summer, which would create the largest commercial broadcaster in the United Kingdom. [3][4]

Nandy has served as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport since 2024. She is a Labour Party politician who has represented Wigan as a Member of Parliament since 2010. Netflix launched its streaming options in 2007 and operates as a global video on-demand subscription service. [5][6][8]