Created 100 years ago this month, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a remarkable institution. It is the world's oldest and largest public broadcaster, with eight national television channels, more than 50 radio stations and a vast website. The National Union of Journalists says 91 per cent of British adults use the BBC in some form every week. Also, the World Service reaches nearly 470 million people, in over 40 languages, all around the world. Arguably , the BBC is the world's greatest communicator.
Bias, Boris and Brexit
For many, the BBC is known affectionately as "Auntie" or "the Beeb". Others, however, are sceptical, even hostile. Brexit supporters, in particular, are still angry about what they saw as bias against them. Boris Johnson once called the BBC the "Brexit Bashing Corporation", and conservatives regularly talk about taking greater control or cutting the BBC's funding, which comes mainly from a licence fee paid by British households. With revenues of more than £5 billion a year, it is a public utility operating in a (mostly) free market. Privately owned media companies must compete without the support of public funding. Some politicians say this model is not sustainable.
Do we still need the Beeb?
Are national broadcasters still as relevant as they were? Back in the 1920s, radio and (later) television were new technologies, and people had fewer sources of information. It made sense for the state to provide broadcasting as a service. Today, Brits spend an average of 70 minutes a day watching YouTube, and the country's favourite streaming service is Netflix, even though the BBC's iPlayer is free for licence holders.
On the other hand, in the age of decentralized (social) media, isn't a reliable, fact-checked source of news all the more important? And the BBC provides a public service. Global players like Netflix and Amazon can offer far more content, but they won't make programmes for niche markets, such as Britain's 883,000 Welsh speakers.
Over the past 100 years, the BBC's broadcasts have united the country though difficult times, including the Second World War, and times of national joy, like when London hosted the 2012 Olympics. It still supports a common culture among the diverse nations of the UK. Despite this, on its big anniversary, the BCC has an uncertain future. Changes to its funding model seem likely, which could make the corporation smaller and, possibly, less ambitious — and that could have many unintended consequences for viewers and listeners.