The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced on June 26 that it has launched a paid subscription model for users in the United States, requiring regular visitors to its news website to pay for full access. The move comes as the broadcaster seeks new revenue sources amid ongoing discussions with the UK government about future funding.
From this week, US-based users who frequently visit the BBC’s digital platforms will be charged $8.99 per month or $49.99 annually for unlimited access to news articles, feature content, and a 24-hour livestream of BBC News programming. The new model will allow casual readers to continue accessing limited content for free.
The BBC’s commercial news site reaches 139 million global users, including an estimated 60 million in the United States. The broadcaster confirmed that services in the UK will remain free under its public service remit, funded through the annual television licence fee of £174.50 (approximately US$239.76).
The shift toward subscriptions reflects broader challenges facing the BBC, including declining licence fee payments as audiences increasingly consume digital content. Rebecca Glashow, CEO of BBC Global Media & Streaming, stated that more long-form factual content will be added for paying subscribers in the coming months as the organization studies audience preferences.
In November 2024, the British government said it would review the BBC’s Royal Charter, which governs its mandate and funding structure, to ensure a sustainable system post-2027. Until then, the licence fee will remain in place and adjusted in line with inflation.
