Committee publication · Engagement document · 12 March 2026
Terms of Reference: BBC Royal Charter Review
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: BBC Royal Charter Review
Summary
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published terms of reference for a BBC Royal Charter Review inquiry, inviting public submissions by 17 April 2026. The terms span the BBC's purpose and funding model, trust and audience relevance, UK-wide service provision, governance and accountability, public service media relationships, and news standards. This sets the framework for the committee's formal examination of the charter renewal process.
Key findings
- Committee seeks evidence on BBC's evolving purpose amid technological change and audience fragmentation, and what core activities should look like over ten years
- Funding inquiry extends beyond Green Paper options to explore licence fee reform, alternative models used internationally, commercial optimisation, and World Service funding
- Trust and relevance agenda includes improving BBC engagement with audiences who perceive low value in licence fee, and strategies to attract young viewers
- Governance examination will assess independence-accountability balance, Board appointment processes, and effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms across Parliament, Ofcom, and devolved administrations
- Inquiry encompasses parallel media policy issues: streamer relationships, digital terrestrial to internet TV transition, AI opportunities and challenges, and BBC's role in countering misinformation
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Culture, Media and Sport Committee, BBC, Ofcom, UK Government, Parliament, Devolved administrations
Notable line
“The balance between using Charter Review to increase the BBC's independence and at the same time obligating the BBC to do more and specific activities”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗