BBC boss Matt Brittin pushes to put news on Netflix and charge every household a levy

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026.

BBC director-general Matt Brittin has called the TV licence fee "no longer fit for purpose" and is pushing to place BBC content — including news — on Netflix, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify and Instagram. He told the 'Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg' programme that a universal household levy could replace the current model, which he says is failing as income has fallen by more than £1 billion in a decade. Brittin acknowledged the shift would be "quite big" given the cost-of-living pressures on families already struggling with bills.

The £180 annual licence fee is already under review ahead of the BBC's royal charter renewal in December 2027.

Brittin argued a household levy would be cheaper per home — because collections costs drop and evasion falls — but admitted he is not personally advocating it, calling it one of several ideas being explored.