The UK government is examining the possibility of expanding the television license fee to include individuals who consume content via streaming, covering platforms such as Netflix and YouTube. Currently, the mandatory charge is restricted only to viewers of live broadcasts or users of BBC iPlayer.
According to the British newspaper The Independent, which obtained information from government members involved in the deliberations, this new proposal could result in an increase of 3 to 4 million additional households contributing to BBC funding. The fee is charged annually at £180 (equivalent to approximately R$1,215 in direct conversion) for those who watch TV, regardless of channel or platform, although seniors aged 75 and over may be exempt, as well as people with visual impairments.
This discussion arises in a context of growing financial pressure on the broadcaster. In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the BBC reported an operational deficit of £121 million (approximately R$818 million). Matt Brittin, the company's CEO, had already voiced criticism of the current funding system and advocated for changes.
Revenue from the license constitutes one of the primary sources of income for the BBC, the oldest and one of the most relevant public broadcasters in the country. Data cited by the newspaper indicates that the broadcaster receives between £3.8 and £3.9 billion annually through this charge. However, the company faces a decrease in the number of active licenses, with about 539 thousand not being renewed in the 12-month period ending March 31 this year, and an accumulated drop of approximately 2 million payers over the last five years.
A government source consulted by The Independent explained that the objective of the proposal is to align the charge with new trends in internet video consumption. This source argued that 'people are using these platforms to avoid payment [...] It is not fair that people can watch TV content but avoid the license fee.'
The idea is for streaming service consumers to start contributing financially, which led to the possible alteration being dubbed the 'YouTube tax'. The expansion could support the company, given that only Google's platform has about 55 million users in the UK. The inclusion of this proposal should occur during the renewal of the BBC's Royal Charter, the document that establishes the broadcaster's governance and funding guidelines, whose current version expires next year.
The discussions are being conducted by the UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This department is considering allocating part of the extra revenue to support local journalism and disinformation combat initiatives. In a statement, the DCMS declared it was evaluating various options to ensure BBC funding is sustainable and compatible with changes in media consumption, while emphasizing that no decision has been made yet.