Netflix users may need to pay Licence Fee under new UK Government plans

The UK Government is considering plans to make Netflix and Disney+ users pay the Licence Fee to help fund the BBC.

Plans to extend those liable to pay the fee are being weighed up by the Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), according to insiders.

Alternatives being considered include allowing the public broadcaster to use adverts, imposing a tax on streaming companies and asking those who listen to the BBC's radio services to pay the fee.

UK Government in early stages of review into BBC's funding model

The UK Government is currently in the early stages of discussing plans to overhaul the BBC's funding structure (Image: Getty Images) Bloomberg states that the BBC is in the early stages of examining how funding for service can be overhauled when its 11-year charter ends in 2027.

Government discussions around the matter have remained a closely guarded secret with a spokesperson for the DCMS writing in a statement that it would not comment on any “speculation".

The department added: “We will provide more details about charter review plans in due course.”

The Licence Fee, which was established in 1946, currently costs viewers in the UK £169.50 a year.

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Those who don't watch the BBC but view or stream programmes live on sites like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video are required to pay the fee.

However, those who only watch on-demand content not related to the BBC  are exempt.

These discussed changes come after a YouGov poll found that around 36% of people across the UK want to scrap the licence fee and replace it with funding from general taxation.