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BBC's Alan Yentob defends licence fee after culture secretary calls it 'regressive' BBC's Alan Yentob defends licence fee after culture secretary calls it 'regressive'
(about 1 hour later)
BBC creative director Alan Yentob has staunchly defended the BBC and the licence fee against mounting criticism in the runup to charter renewal.BBC creative director Alan Yentob has staunchly defended the BBC and the licence fee against mounting criticism in the runup to charter renewal.
Delivering the Charles Wheeler lecture in London on Thursday, Yentob said: “There is so much goodwill towards us both at home and abroad. That is not something that we should put at risk, and that includes the goodwill of the licence-fee payers themselves.Delivering the Charles Wheeler lecture in London on Thursday, Yentob said: “There is so much goodwill towards us both at home and abroad. That is not something that we should put at risk, and that includes the goodwill of the licence-fee payers themselves.
“Forty-eight per cent of them think the licence fee is the best way to fund the BBC, up from 31% a decade ago. That’s a huge shift. Just 29% want advertising and 20% want a subscription model – something that would forever put the kibosh on our ability to provide something for everyone.”“Forty-eight per cent of them think the licence fee is the best way to fund the BBC, up from 31% a decade ago. That’s a huge shift. Just 29% want advertising and 20% want a subscription model – something that would forever put the kibosh on our ability to provide something for everyone.”
Yentob’s defence of the BBC funding model followed comments from new culture secretary John Whittingdale that elements of the licence fee were “regressive”.Yentob’s defence of the BBC funding model followed comments from new culture secretary John Whittingdale that elements of the licence fee were “regressive”.
Whittingdale has previously questioned the long-term viability of the licence fee, but his comments, in response to a question in parliament from shadow culture secretary Chris Bryant to give “a little clue as to [his] inclinations” on charter renewal, are the first time he has spoken about the fee since being appointed to the cabinet.Whittingdale has previously questioned the long-term viability of the licence fee, but his comments, in response to a question in parliament from shadow culture secretary Chris Bryant to give “a little clue as to [his] inclinations” on charter renewal, are the first time he has spoken about the fee since being appointed to the cabinet.
Referencing Bryant’s comments on the licence fee from 2005, Whittingdale said: “I would say I very much agree with him when he observed that elements of the licence fee are regressive because everyone has to pay it and so it falls as a greater percentage of the income on the poorest people.”Referencing Bryant’s comments on the licence fee from 2005, Whittingdale said: “I would say I very much agree with him when he observed that elements of the licence fee are regressive because everyone has to pay it and so it falls as a greater percentage of the income on the poorest people.”
Yentob is the third BBC executive to publicly defend the BBC and its funding model this week.Yentob is the third BBC executive to publicly defend the BBC and its funding model this week.
On Tuesday, BBC TV chief Danny Cohen said programmes would have to be cut if the corporation was forced to take on the burden of free TV licences for the over-75s or decriminalisation of the licence fee. Later that day the corporation’s director of news and current affairs James Harding said politicians “from all sides” threatened the BBC’s funding over its election coverage.On Tuesday, BBC TV chief Danny Cohen said programmes would have to be cut if the corporation was forced to take on the burden of free TV licences for the over-75s or decriminalisation of the licence fee. Later that day the corporation’s director of news and current affairs James Harding said politicians “from all sides” threatened the BBC’s funding over its election coverage.
Their interventions followed renewed attacks on the corporation from the rightwing press. Negotiations over the next BBC charter, which will come into force at the end of 2016, are expected to take place later this year.Their interventions followed renewed attacks on the corporation from the rightwing press. Negotiations over the next BBC charter, which will come into force at the end of 2016, are expected to take place later this year.
Yentob used his speech to defend Strictly Come Dancing, which has gone on to be successful overseas as well as in the UK, as an example of the BBC keeping to its mission to “inform, educate and entertain”. He invited Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey who has been critical of BBC output such as Strictly, to appear on the show.Yentob used his speech to defend Strictly Come Dancing, which has gone on to be successful overseas as well as in the UK, as an example of the BBC keeping to its mission to “inform, educate and entertain”. He invited Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey who has been critical of BBC output such as Strictly, to appear on the show.
“There’s no doubt it’s entertainment,” he said. “But it educates and informs too. If Lord Fellowes doesn’t believe it, perhaps he should put his dancing shoes on and join us for a series. That is a serious offer, Julian.” “There’s no doubt it’s entertainment, but it is more than that” he said. “If Lord Fellowes doesn’t believe it, perhaps he should put his dancing shoes on and join us for a series. That is a serious offer, Julian.”
Yentob also said the BBC helps Britain punch above its weight culturally and nurture those who have gone on to become leaders in other parts of British broadcasting.Yentob also said the BBC helps Britain punch above its weight culturally and nurture those who have gone on to become leaders in other parts of British broadcasting.
He said: “I am proud to say if you look at the creative leaders of Sky, ITV, Channel 4, they’ve all spent time at the BBC, and shared our values and it seems that we are now a feeder for Apple too, and if global companies like Apple also see the value in BBC skills and knowhow then so be it.” He said: “I am proud to say if you look at the creative leaders of Sky, ITV, Channel 4, Shine and Endemol, they’ve all spent time at the BBC, and shared our values and our vision – and it seems that we are now a feeder for Apple too, and if global companies like Apple also see the value in BBC skills and know-how then so be it.”