James Cleverly has suggested that China might play a role in supporting UK television by purchasing rights to popular shows like Peppa Pig, especially as the current TV licence fee model faces challenges. This proposal comes in the wake of discussions about the sustainability of the licence fee, which Cleverly deems no longer viable.

Reflecting on his early days as a Member of Parliament, Cleverly shared a conversation he had with the BBC. “When I was newly elected, representatives from the BBC approached me, emphasizing the unique funding model of the organization,” he recalled. “Back in 2015, I advised them to consider transitioning to a subscription-based service during their next licence fee renegotiation.”

Cleverly argued that the BBC has a treasure trove of high-quality content that could thrive in a subscription model. “If companies like Disney and Netflix can succeed with subscriptions, then surely the BBC can too,” he said. “In a world dominated by streaming services, relying on a TV tax is simply not sustainable.”

He further suggested monetizing the BBC’s existing content, which has already been paid for by the public. “Why shouldn’t countries like China, where Peppa Pig is reportedly a huge hit, contribute financially for access to these shows?” Cleverly posed. “Instead of having the UK public foot the bill repeatedly, let’s ensure others pay their share.”

‘And that back catalogue of content that we have already paid for, why don’t we make sure that when China obsesses about Peppa Pig – apparently Peppa Pig is very popular in China – and other content, that they pay for it rather than demanding that we pay for it all over again?’