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Whittingdale: Key test for ѿý is ‘distinctiveness’

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

"I am a huge admirer of the ѿý,” he told the ѿý’s Andrew Marr. “At its best, it’s the finest broadcaster in the world.” 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 “an enormous explosion of choice in the last 10 years,” and said he hoped there would be a “wide-ranging debate”.

“I think the key test for the ѿý is distinctiveness… for public money to be used, it needs to be distinct from the commercial sector," and added, “it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be popular.”

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

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10 minutes