Extending the licence fee to streaming subscribers is one proposal being looked at by ministers examining mechanisms to support the BBC when its current Royal Charter ends – which sets out the corporation’s governance – in 2027, according to Bloomberg.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
However the streaming giants are increasingly moving in to live programming like sports, with Amazon buying rights to Premiership football and tennis.
There were 23.9 million households in the UK with a TV licence last year, down from the 24.4 million licences in force in 2023.
Winter fuel payment cut could cost the BBC millions for years to come
Read MoreHowever asking Disney, Amazon and Netflix users to pay a so-called TV tax for BBC programmes they do not watch could be a politically unpopular move by the Government.
Ministers ruled out the idea of imposing a 5 per cent levy on Netflix to help solve a funding crisis for UK drama series.
A BBC spokesperson said: “The public cares about the BBC and this year, we will launch our biggest ever public engagement exercise so audiences can help drive and shape what they want from a universal and independent BBC in the future.
The reports about the future of the licence fee come as the BBC heads for the biggest shake-up of its governance in more than a century. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will explore moves to “mutualise” the BBC when discussions over the new Charter begin next year.
Netflix has been contacted for comment.
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