BBC License Fee

[classicgray]

How much do the BBC make from their license fee and does all their funding come from it?

[BriWrite]

Television licence fee revenue in 2003-04 was �2,390 million and the BBC also received over �400 million from the government in subsidy to cover the cost of free television licences issued to people aged 75 or over.

And we still get all those repeats!

[classicgray]

didn't realise it was that much. couldn't they axe Eastenders and save millions for something worthwhile?
why cant they make loads more 'Blue Planet' type shows?

[Backdrifter]

The repeats of old shows are never as many as people make out - it's a bit like that old "the weather forecasters always get it wrong" myth. The "running repeats" (stuff shown again on BBC3 &4) is industry standard now.

I'd love them to ditch eastenders but I wouldn't hold your breath. Overall I think the balance is okay across the channels and it's wonderful to have somewhere you're guaranteed no interruptions from adverts.

The licence fee isn't the sole income though. The commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, generates income from dvd/merchandise sales. I don't know the figures though, or if any/how much is ploughed back into broadcasting.

[classicgray]

Yeah, they must make a lot from DVDs of the Office etc.

Have to say, the weather forecasters very rarely get much, if anything wrong these days...Really frustrating!! What is there to moan about?!

[Backdrifter]

Oh, well I tend to moan about too much news coverage and the poor quality of documentaries generally.

[mushroom25]

what to moan about? we could start with "strictly come dancing" - lowest common denominator TV that's cheap to make. lazy and unimaginative broadcasting.

[classicgray]

Maybe they could make a reality show whereby the public vote off their worst reality tv show with an additional 'all of the above/eastenders just for the hell of it' option.

[Backdrifter]

Sensing a pattern here, classicgray. Not an eastenders fan, perchance? heh heh heh. Well, I have to side with you, I must say.

[classicgray]

not only is it a waste of peoples money, its about as enjoyable to watch as a charity appeal video from Ethiopia.

[Memore]

BBC make most of their money from BBC Enterprises ie the video marketing magazines books and sellng programmes and formats to other countries abroad - the licence hardly covers anything

[Backdrifter]

It's BBC Worldwide, it stopped being Enterprises yars ago, and it's a bit of an exaggeration to say the licence hardly covers anything. Surely most of BBC Worldwide's operational profits must cover the running of BBC Worldwide

[classicgray]

The beginning of this post indicates that the license fee brings in over �2 billion. Surely that contributes a significant amount to the running of their operations?

[Memore]

You're right I did know it was not Enterprises anymore but couldnt remember what it changed to I should as friend works there! I dont think licence fee does cover much especially with the costs of making dramas etc and the worldwide offices and news coverage - I actually dont mind paying it as its worth it for the news alone I think especially if you have lived abroad the World Service is great people also forget it does cover radio as well and not just tv production. I used to work at BBC and a lot of money did used to get wasted thats for sure

[Backdrifter]

I also used to work at the BBC - snap.

I'm sure some of Worldwide's profits would be ploughed back into broadcast but I'm not sure how that would work now as I think Worldwide is technically a separate company. It's a substantial operation and most of its profits will undoubtedly go towards its own running. The licence fee is pure revenue and is the main source of funding for broadcast. Bear in mind that many major drama series of the kind you refer to are co-productions and the BBC would not have had to provide all the funds.

I agree that the fee is worth it. When I hear people calling for its abolition, I can only conclude they are people who aren't bothered about the quality of their viewing and listening, and presumably wouldn't care about the BBC becoming like every other channel if it went fully commercial.