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Many expressed concern about the impact on the BBC of the potential use of the licence fee to fund other providers. But the surplus in the current licence fee settlement that is ring-fenced to pay for costs of digital switchover, if retained, could be used for other purposes after 2012 without in any way curtailing the BBC’s ability to deliver high quality public service content. This surplus is worth around £130 million per annum in the current settlement. Our research indicates that using such a funding source after 2012 would be supported by audiences, and that understanding of what the licence fee currently funds is fairly limited.

Comments

Share that £130 million amongst community stations and you'll see flowers blossom and be overwhelmed with the sweet smell of success.