WHAT IF?
The fallout from the results of the recent local elections continues with the rise of Reform and Labour’s losses the main headlines. As we all know, politics is unpredictable but what if Reform did win the next election? There are no less than three books out shortly addressing that very prospect. Here is a reminder of what Nigel Farage said about the BBC during the last General Election campaign two years ago.
In its 2024 election manifesto – which Reform dubbed its “contract” with the British public – the party vowed to “commence reform of the BBC”.
“The out-of-touch wasteful BBC is institutionally biased,” the document said. “The TV licence is taxation without representation. We will scrap it. In a world of on-demand TV People should be free to choose.”
So, what does he say now? Has he changed his mind?
At a press conference last month, he maintains that he wanted to “very much slim down the BBC”. He went on to say: –
“When it comes to entertainment, when it comes to sport and many other areas like that, well they should compete against everybody else for a subscription model.”
He believes that “the licence fee” was “wholly unsustainable” and “cannot survive”.
The License fee is very much a topic of debate at the moment and The Times reported that one solution to the licence fee problem is to charge people for watching streaming services including iPlayer. Netflix and Amazon Prime. Subscribers could be forced to pay the TV licence fee under plans to safeguard the future of the BBC. Industry sources involved in the discussions told The Times that the government was wary of moving towards a model funded by advertising or subscriptions. It is instead thought to favour an expansive approach, retaining the licence fee while extending it to cover streaming platforms.
Sir David Attenborough
Millions of us have been watching the tribute programmes to Sir David Attenborough as he celebrates his 100th birthday. Now the BBC veteran broadcaster has been signed up for yet another series. Sir David Attenborough and Blue Planet will be back to reveal brand new and untold stories from magical underwater worlds.
Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, says: “We are so excited to have David narrate this new blockbuster series. It’s full of never-before-seen animal behaviour, new locations, new science, and heartfelt storytelling. David is the perfect voice to inspire audiences across the globe to love, understand and protect the oceans.”
STRICTLY COME DANCING
There is much speculation about the new hosts of this Saturday night staple. Some newspapers have reported that Emma Willis has been offered the job and further rumours about who her presenting partner might be. Watch this space!!
