MJRC Director Contributes to British Academy Publication Aimed at Informing the BBC Charter Renewal Debate 

The British Academy has released a new report examining the upcoming renewal of the BBC Charter in 2027. Among the contributors is our director, Marius Dragomir, who authored a chapter on Spain’s public service media system. His analysis is intended to inform debates about how the BBC might reshape its funding model at a time when the license fee is becoming increasingly unstable, and when advertising and subscription services remain unsuitable alternatives.  

Dragomir explains that Spain abandoned its advertising-based funding model because it weakened the public service mission. Instead, the country adopted a hybrid system combining direct state funding with industry levies on commercial broadcasters, streaming platforms, and telecom firms. Phasing out advertising helped reinforce the system’s independence, though the levy component remains vulnerable to market shifts, especially if commercial broadcasters falter or global platforms move operations abroad. 

Commissioned by the British Academy, the report asks what lessons can be drawn from public service media systems in democracies around the world, and how these insights might guide decisions on the BBC’s future. Across its chapters, the report offers extensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of different governance, accountability, and funding models. Another section considers the broader challenges facing the BBC and public service media globally in an era dominated by powerful digital platforms. The report concludes with recommendations informed by the evidence presented throughout the volume. Contributions come from leading experts across Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. 

The report is available here.  

Photo by Nathan J Hilton