The constitutional basis for the BBC is set out in a royal charter (PDF). The current charter began on 1 January 2017 and runs to 31 December 2027.

Under article 4 of the charter, the BBC’s main object is the fulfilment of its mission and the promotion of the public purposes. Article 5 states that the mission of the BBC “is to act in the public interest, serving all audiences through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain”. Article 6 sets out the BBC’s public purposes:

  • to provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them
  • to support learning for people of all ages
  • to show the most creative, highest quality and distinctive output and services
  • to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom’s nations and regions and, in doing so, support the creative economy across the United Kingdom
  • to reflect the United Kingdom, its culture and values to the world

Under article 43 of its charter, the BBC is funded primarily through a licence fee. This is intended to safeguard the BBC’s independence from government and the market.

Charter review launched (December 2025)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) formally launched a review of the BBC’s charter on 16 December 2025. The intention is to use the review to “futureproof” the BBC so that it can thrive in a “rapidly changing media landscape”.The review’s objectives, as set out in the terms of reference, are for a BBC that:

  • is sustainably funded for decades to come to support its vital public service role
  • commands the public’s trust, is independent and accountable to the public it serves, and represents all communities across the UK
  • drives growth, opportunity and good jobs across the nations and regions of the UK, working in partnership with others

The government has said that it intends to work constructively with the BBC throughout the charter review process. It will also consult with Ofcom (the BBC’s regulator), the National Audit Office, the devolved governments, S4C (the Welsh language television service), industry, parliamentarians, and other stakeholders.

A green paper was also published on 16 December. A public consultation on its proposals closes on 10 March 2026. The government will then set out its preferred policy direction for the BBC in a white paper. A draft charter will be published and debated in Parliament before the current Charter expires. Once approved by the Privy Council, a new charter for the BBC will come into effect on 1 January 2028.

One issue that has generated considerable discussion in recent years is the future of the BBC’s licence fee. Chapter 4 of the green paper examines a range of options for funding the BBC. For further background, see the library briefing, The future of the BBC licence fee (PDF).

Further sources

Hansard material

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