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		</div><p>A subscription-based BBC could be what the “future looks like”, the former UK culture secretary has said.</p>
<p>John Whittingdale, minister for media and data, told a conference that public service broadcasters must “adapt” to the changing TV landscape.</p>
<p>“One of the issues for debate, in the longer term, not the next year, is the funding,” he said.</p>
<p>“We have a model where the BBC is maintained by the licence fee.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Day one of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSBD2020?src=hash&;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SSBD2020</a> closes with Channel 4 News’s <a href="https://twitter.com/krishgm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@krishgm</a> in conversation with The RT Hon <a href="https://twitter.com/JWhittingdale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JWhittingdale</a> MP about his priorities for public service broadcasting in the future. <a href="https://t.co/RpMFi1WDvZ">pic.twitter.com/RpMFi1WDvZ</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Ofcom (@Ofcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ofcom/status/1313075226754912257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>“We’ve already begun to see evidence that people are questioning whether they need to pay the licence fee…</p>
<p>“That means there is going to be a debate about the licence fee but that will be for the end of this decade,” he told Ofcom’s Small Screen: Big Debate virtual conference.</p>
<p>The current licence fee model is guaranteed until December 31 2027, the end of the current charter.</p>
<p>Asked about a subscription model, Mr Whittingdale said it had “proved very successful” for other broadcasters.</p>
<p>He said: “We’re still some way away from making the public service broadcasters subscription-based but all of that is something which will be part of the debate as to what the future looks like, perhaps in 10 years time.”</p>
<p>He said there were “already concerns about the sustainability of Channel 4” after its advertising revenue was hit by the pandemic.</p>
<p>“The funding around the public service broadcasters is something we will consider as part of the overall review of public service broadcasters,” he said.</p>
<p>“In the longer term we will be looking at the sustainability of Channel 4 in the same way as we are looking at the sustainability of the BBC and the other broadcasters”.</p>
<p>Mr Whittingdale also suggested that the issue of means-testing payment of the licence fee for pensioners was not closed.</p>
<p>“I recognise it was going to be difficult for the BBC either way,” he said of the Government handing over responsibility to the BBC.</p>
<p>“I think this will be an ongoing debate.</p>
<p>“We will be having a discussion with the BBC within the next 18 months about the next licence fee settlement.</p>
<p>“The Government has also said we do look to the BBC to … provide for elderly people and this, I think, will remain under review.</p>
<p>“But I do accept it is the BBC’s decision.</p>
<p>“We gave it to them and the cost does mean that it is unlikely they will be able to restore the full concession for all over 75-year-olds.”</p>
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