The television licence fee could be reformed as part of the renewal process of the BBC’s royal charger, the Labour Government has confirmed.

This morning, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) provided insight into the future of the levy, which is currently charged at £174.50 for a colour TV and £58.50 for black and white televisions.

The announcement coincides with President Donald Trump filing a $10billion lawsuit against the public broadcaster over Panorama’s coverage of comments he made on January 6, 2021.

Households need to pay the TV licence fee charge every year in order to watch or stream programming as it is being broadcast live with money raised going towards BBC funding.

In recent years, ministers have signalled alternative forms of funding for the public broadcaster are being looked at to compete with streaming platforms.

Under the charter, the BBC’s public purpose and constitutional basis is outlined for journalists and creatives working for the institution.

Labour ministers will look at whether licence fee concessions should be updated, options for the BBC to generate more commercial revenues, and also options for funding the BBC World Service to support sustainable funding for minority language broadcasting.

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.”

In response to the royal charter review’s launch, outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie asserted the broadcaster wants change “so we can continue to deliver for the UK for generations to come”.

Mr Davie added: “We welcome the publication of the Government’s Green Paper and the start of the public consultation on the future of the BBC. We urge everyone who cares about the success of the UK’s world-leading creative industries to have their say.

“At the BBC we want change so we can continue to deliver for the UK for generations to come. We want to secure a public service BBC that is independent, sustainably funded for the long term, and meets our audience’s needs.”

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