Two thirds of viewers want BBC fee ditched

JUST one in five people believe the BBC should still be funded by the licence fee, polling shows.

- David Stephenson

But despite this, industry experts believe it is here to stay.

Omnisis asked more than 1,300 people: "Should the BBC continue to be funded by the licence fee?"

While 21 per cent agreed, 65 per cent said it should not.

David Elstein, a TV executive once in line for the director-general job, said he would welcome a split method of funding, with the public service paid for through tax and the remainder through subscription.

But he believed this was unlikely because the Government had too many other issues to deal with.

Mr Elstein, a former chief executive Channel 5, immediate reform of the licence fee is now "less likely".