大象传媒

On 16 July, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale launched a public consultation on the 大象传媒's future.

"I am a huge admirer of the 大象传媒,鈥� he told the 大象传媒鈥檚 Andrew Marr. 鈥淎t its best, it鈥檚 the finest broadcaster in the world.鈥� But he also emphasised that he believed it was the right time to start asking questions.

Talking about the various ways people consume radio and television, he referred to 鈥渁n enormous explosion of choice in the last 10 years,鈥� and said he hoped there would be a 鈥渨ide-ranging debate鈥�.

鈥淚 think the key test for the 大象传媒 is distinctiveness鈥� for public money to be used, it needs to be distinct from the commercial sector," and added, 鈥渋t doesn鈥檛 mean it shouldn鈥檛 be popular.鈥�

Alternatives to the licence fee - including subscription and a household tax - will be investigated as part of the review.