James Cleverly has proposed that China could bolster the UK’s television industry by acquiring rights to popular content such as Peppa Pig, especially as the traditional TV licence fee becomes increasingly untenable.

Discussing the future of the TV Licence, Mr. Cleverly recounted an early encounter with the BBC shortly after becoming an MP. “When the BBC approached me, they went through their usual spiel about the unique funding of the BBC,” he explained.

Reflecting on the meeting, he shared advice he gave back in 2015: “If I were in your position, I would start planning to transition to a subscription-based service during the next licence fee renegotiation.”

He pointed out that the BBC possesses a vast library of world-class television. “If Disney and Netflix can successfully operate on a subscription basis, so can the BBC,” he argued, emphasizing that in the streaming era, a tax-based model for accessing television is no longer viable.

Cleverly further suggested monetizing the BBC’s existing content. “Since Peppa Pig is apparently a hit in China, why not ensure that they pay for access? This way, we’re not repeatedly footing the bill for content we’ve already funded.”