There will be a clear separation between the role of BBC governors and managers following criticism in the wake of the Hutton Report.

A dedicated Governance Unit will be set up, independent of management, which will bring in external experts and advisors to evaluate the BBC's services.

The corporation also aims take a lead in building a fully digital Britain, so that everyone can receive its full range of services.

The document is released as the government consults the public before the current charter, which sets out the BBC's objectives and functions, expires in 2006.

What do you think of the BBC's proposals? How do you see the future of the BBC? Should the charter be renewed for 5 years or 10? How should the corporation operate in the 21st Century?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

It would be a disaster to scrap the BBC licence fee Mark, Cayman Islands

Having lived overseas most of my working life I am yet to see any other service, subscription or not, that matches the quality of programming provided by the BBC. It's interesting to note that amongst ex-pat communities the most watched channels are the likes of BBC World and BBC America even when lined up against 70+ other channels. It would be a disaster to scrap the BBC licence fee in my view.
Mark, Cayman Islands

The BBC provides the strongest reporting of the news of any country. The license fee is worth it just for that. The BBC is the envy of folks in the USA and Canada. Don't change a good thing.
Mike Willis, Columbus, Ohio (ex-UK)

Ever since the TV services began, radio has lost funding and played second fiddle to TV. It's time to separate television from radio, and to separate local, regional and national radio into properly funded, staffed and skilled services with a real commitment to quality and live radio in the public service. That has nothing at all to do with ratings and everything to do with diversity and people.
Paul Bailey, Basildon, UK

Stop complaining that the BBC costs so much - if it continues to make quality programmes, then that is value for money. Look at most of the commercial cable channels around and they offer either reruns or rehashes of BBC formats. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And we also won't have to put up with interminable ad breaks.
Will, London

Isn't it ironic that the people posting to this forum claiming they never use BBC services so shouldn't pay the licence fee are in fact using BBC services? The BBC strikes a chord of quality throughout the whole world and we should be proud of it.
Michael Coe, Weybridge

Carry on Beeb! Jon Meah, Cardiff, Wale

A fistful of fine orchestras, brilliant radio stations, programmes like History of Britain all for 100 odd quid a year. Better value I think than paying Murdoch 3 times this for 24 hours of the Simpsons and six month old feature films. Carry on Beeb!
Jon Meah, Cardiff, Wales

It's time to scrap the licence fee. The BBC programmes are bore. I hardly watch BBC. I hate watching films without a small break. I love to watch quality ads. It's better than most of the BBC programs. I definitely welcome ads instead of the rip off licence fee.
Siva, London

The BBC is the reason that Britain has the best TV in the world. It is precisely because of the licence fee that it remains truly independent of government and not owned by the corporate world. ITV has developed because the BBC has sustained the extraordinary standards that are the envy of those of us who live in other parts of the world. By all means sell more of BBC services to the rest of the world for your own, and our benefit.
Malcolm Tulett, Adelaide, Australia

What about a discounted licence for those that live on their own. Surely a single person watches less TV than a family of five.
Kaye Axon, Leicester, England

The BBC does need to modernise but I for one appreciate the independence afforded it by the license fee system. I also subscribe to Sky but still look to the BBC to set the standard.
Terry Edwards, Stafford, England

From News 24 to this very website, it is hard to think of a better way to spend �121 Russell, Aberdeen

One of the comments here was that students wouldn't want CBeebies but then my three year old doesn't listen to Radio 1 at 2am on a Saturday morning. And that is one of the wonders of the BBC, it tries (and does I believe) cater for everyone. All in all, the license fee pays for an outstanding service from the BBC. From News 24 to this very website, it is hard to think of a better way to spend �121.
Russell, Aberdeen, UK

Why should we be forced to pay for the BBC? If it's as good as some would have us believe, then surely it would get enough subscribers! I never watch the BBC, why should I pay for it? I never use next doors fridge, should I pay for that? Applying the same logic, the BBC would say yes I should. The licence fee is a joke. Many people from other countries laugh at the idea of having to pay a licence fee just because you own a TV. When will the Government open their eyes to public opinion? Give the people a choice!
Colin Smith, Havant, UK

Perhaps this service provider could expand and deliver better localised programming to serve all parts , sections and members of the Northern Ireland community, who pay perhaps not as much, but the same per head per population as the rest of mainland UK - food for thought?-
Jimmy T, Northern Ireland

If Hutton had happened to the CBC funding would have been cut Christopher Robrets, London

Beware of changing the licence fee! Look at what has happened to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation! If the Canadian government is displeased CBC's funding (from general government revenue) gets cut. The CBC now sits in front of a begging bowl and is not supported by the public.

If Hutton had happened to the CBC funding would have been cut. The TV licence allows the BBC to criticise the government, companies a whole plethora of establishments, even its self without the threat of a funding cut.

The CBC can't do that. If the private broadcasters in the UK feel hard done by perhaps they should have thought about the BBC when they set up their businesses. You can't get into a market and then cry foul over the funding of one of your competitors!
Christopher Robrets, London, UK

I don't know very much about the way the BBC is run. What I do have experience with is the content they put out, which makes me wish America had something as good.
Josh Mrazek, Minneapolis, USA

I'd swap all my poor quality Canadian TV channels for BBC1 in a flash - �10 per month is a bargain for such quality TV and Radio.
Simon H, Calgary, Canada

I'm not sure what I pay a TV licence for. There is nothing on any of the BBC channels worth watching (with the recent exception of some football games). Make the BBC a subscription channel, rather than a levy having the audacity to decide who can and cannot own a television set.
Gareth Rippingale, UK

I love the BBC, its news, Panorama etc. This website is the best on the net. But I don't want or need most of what it puts out as entertainment i.e. the one million ways to decorate my flat, to do up the garden I haven't got, to buy the house I can't afford. And sell the house, which belongs to the council. Apart from that I'm happy to struggle paying the license for what I get.
Gary Santana, Wimborne, England

A subscription BBC would be a fairer BBC for the UK population Ian Rogers, Manchester, UK

The licence fee penalises people living on their own as well as having little to no means assessment. Students and single people carry the burden of paying the licence fee, it is often unlikely these people will take advantage of new services like CBeebies. A subscription BBC would be a fairer BBC for the UK population.
Ian Rogers, Manchester, UK

It is high time the fee was abolished and the programmes improved. Just how many cookery/gardening/ home makeover shows do we need! There are far too many. Also, the BBC will need to help in the change-over to digital by providing most (if not all) the costs. This would then give people a real incentive to switch.
Rob Stagg, Colchester, England

Turn licence fee payers into shareholders. If the BBC makes money one year, then we benefit by a lower fee the next year, and vice versa. I object to the board of the BBC pocketing huge amounts of money through salaries and bonuses - paid for by me.
Deb, UK

I don't really care, to be honest. I think the BBC should just focus on getting on with its job.
Tony, UK

Don't let the BBC go the way of all the other public broadcasters in the world. The BBC is the best broadcaster in the world, by far, and is fantastic value for money. Getting rid of the licence fee has been tried in other countries and simply doesn't work. One only has to look at American TV or what happened to the Canadian version of the BBC, which had its licence fee scrapped and a subscription fee put in its place - what happened? Hardly anyone subscribes to it. The old adage of you get what you pay for is very true with the BBC, it may not be perfect, but it's a lot better than ITV and the commercial radio stations all around us. The BBC needs to change and adapt, but the core values of quality entertainment and education are what has made the corporation so special.
Richard, Birmingham, England

The corporation has moved too far towards pandering to the ratings war Nigel Robinson, St Asaph, UK

The BBC is in a very difficult position. As a public service broadcaster, it should strive to make quality programmes regardless of popular opinion and ratings but, as everyone has to pay the license fee, it also has a duty to cater for everyone - i.e. make popular ratings winners. It's a fine line to tread. Personally, I think the corporation has moved too far towards pandering to the ratings war, particularly on BBC1. Did we really need another episode of Eastenders when soap fans were already catered for 3 times a week? Did we really need a rival for Pop Idol in Fame Academy?
Nigel Robinson, St Asaph, UK

It never ceases too amaze me that people such as Mr Grade readily put their hand in my pocket too pay for something I do not want. The BBC is a dinosaur that should be self financing or binned.
Doug, Harrow

I depend on the BBC for reliable, good reporting in many areas, especially considering the overall quality of the media in the US. I also listen to the BBC on the internet, most often Radio 4, for the variety, and high quality of its programmes. You are to be commended on your public service to the whole world.
V J Fedson, Chicago, USA

�50. That's how much a digital box costs to view the great BBC channels and listen to the radio services. People need to buy realise that you don't get something for nothing, ever. Ok so you've paid you license fee, go the extra mile and invest in a set top box so you can watch the channels and listen to the radio. Then complain. You wouldn't buy a DVD then complain because you don't have a DVD player. Go on, try it. I think you'll enjoy what you see and hear.
Andrew Gilfillan, Douglas, Isle of Man

Let's put this all into focus. The BBC is recognised worldwide as a broadcaster of quality programming - both radio and television. Watch other countries' TV and you'll see why! As for the licence fee, I do object at the continuing push to digital but would rather have that than the inevitable adverts if there were no licence fee. Keep the BBC, keep the licence fee. save us from adverts.
Chris, Cambridge, UK

I have come to rely on the BBC for the best news and information about the UK available! Steven Miller, Sydney, Australia

As an expat living in Australia, I have come to rely on the BBC for the best news and information about the UK available! With a back catalogue of some of my favourite memories - I say a big well done and keep up the good work!
Steven Miller, Sydney, Australia

I would like to see the cost of each programme clearly displayed in the closing credits. This would be much more useful than knowing who the set designer was. We could then judge for ourself if the BBC was giving value for money - I suspect we would find it was not.
John Lord, Preston, Lancashire

The amount of time that I spend on the BBC website alone is worth the license fee. This is something I think people don't mention too much - even the BBC. Probably the best website in the world.
James Welch, Newcastle, Staffs

From the 60's to the 80's the BBC commissioned writers (Dennis Potter, Nigel Kneale, to name a few) to write top quality drama. Now the BBC has dumbed down and its output is no different to commercial TV, so I can't see how they can justify the TV licence fee. So the BBC should carry on as it is and scrap the fee, or give us some quality programming for our money.
Pete, Yate, England

I only have 2 BBC channels and I resent the fact the money I pay also goes to digital channels that I do not receive. There should be a lower charge for those that don't have access to digital like myself.
Alan James, Crawley, UK

If the licence fee is not abolished it should at least be optional Stephen, Cardiff

The licence fee is obsolete in the digital age. I am already infuriated at having to pay a licence fee for channels I do not watch (too many soaps, DIY and reality shows). I only use my television for my games console, DVDs and on the rare occasion I do watch TV, I watch Sky channels, not BBC channels. If the licence fee is not abolished it should at least be optional where those who do not pay it cannot receive BBC but can still watch ITV, CH4, CH5 and Sky.
Stephen, Cardiff

I pay �19.50 a month to Rupert Murdoch for the privilege of watching 2 (out of 300) decent channels. I pay �6 a month to read the FT online. But I only pay �10 a month to the BBC for extremely high quality programming (both radio and television) and an absolutely amazing website (plus I get content on my palm offline). Now that's value for money. Don't change Auntie Beeb!
M Face, London, UK

Abolishing the license fee would be good for both the BBC and the consumer. The BBC would be able to claim true independence from the state, boosting its perception aboard, where many people see it as a state-owned broadcaster. It would be free to charge a fair price to those who choose to use its services and could compete in the free market for its talent. The rationale for the licence fee, and the need for a charter from the state to collect it as a tax, died out with the ration book. The sale of the BBC would also bring some much needed revenue to the government so that it can invest more in our schools and hospitals.
Ian, UK

The lesson I learned "after Hutton" was that I had a completely naive and innocent view of politics. Now I don't trust my government.
Diana, UK

I think the BBC is fantastic value for money. In my opinion the charter should be extended indefinitely.
Gavin, Brent Knoll, England

Fantastic value for money John Atkins, Bridgwater, England

The BBC offers fantastic value for money, and is the envy of the world. I will happily pay more for "advert-free TV" of the quality that I get for a fraction of the cost of a subscription service. Go BBC!
John Atkins, Bridgwater, England

Scrap the licence fee (or at least reduce it significantly) and make the BBC operate as all the other TV companies out there. How many other businesses do you know that get a guaranteed income of �3billion each year?
Paul, UK

The amount you get for your money is amazing, when you compare it to Sky and other services. The radio stations and websites alone are worth it, and BBC television making is still by far the best in the world.
Louis, Manchester

The BBC should look at other revenue sources in the digital age including commercials Tane Piper, Edinburgh

I am in two minds about the BBC. On one hand, it does provide great programming, especially the new comedy coming from BBC 3 and many of its documentaries. Overall it is a good public service. On the other hand, I am not happy at paying my Sky subscription AND my licence fee, and then sometime I can't even get a Scottish football game on BBC1 on Sky, I have to turn over to my analogue TV signal. The BBC should look at other revenue sources in the digital age including commercials.
Tane Piper, Edinburgh

It may be the 21st century and not the 1920's, but we should never forget the values that the BBC's first director general, Lord Reith, set out for the corporation - to inform, educate and entertain. In the commercial world we now live in, these are values so very easily ignored and it is up to the BBC to ensure that these standards of broadcasting are maintained no matter what.
James Pittman, England

The charter should be renewed for the full 10 years, not 5. How can the BBC be expected to make long-term planning decisions if they only have a short-term charter? I think the current license fee for 10 TV channels and 10 radio stations is good value for money, and it is nice to have channels where you are not interrupted by advert breaks every 10 - 15 minutes. One thing the BBC should strive to achieve, though, is complete political impartiality at all times, and ensure that news is presented as news, rather than the current trend for presenting opinion and "analysis" as if they were facts.
Keith Blakemore-Noble, Wokingham, UK

The licence fee is a tax on the already heavily taxed citizen of the UK Jonathan D'Souza, London, UK

Why are we told repeatedly that we get the BBC output for free and it's free of advertising. Watch any BBC channel and there are constant plugs for BBC products and services (the recent spate of adverts for Freeview). Why not make it more open and free up the space for other advertisers. The licence fee is a tax on the already heavily taxed citizen of the UK.
Jonathan D'Souza, London, UK

When I look at the populist tripe that is on ITV, I am only too happy to pay a licence fee so long as the programmes have at least some serious quality.
Chris, Yorks, UK

I use my TV set for playstation, DVDs, video and on the odd occasion I do tune into TV channels, I rarely watch the BBC. Why am I forced to fork out for TV licence? If people were being forced to buy railcards every year whether or not they use trains, there would be uproar. So what's the difference?
Joseph, UK

I think the BBC is doing tremendously well and is excellent value for money. I don't often watch BBC1 (mainly due to the surfeit of soaps and makeover shows which are not to my taste) but the radio is fantastic and the push on internet and other digital services is absolutely justified in the long run. My only complaint would be a lack of science and technology coverage. More (more detailed) Horizon please!
Peter Ford, Gateshead, UK

I object to paying, via the licence fee, for services which I cannot obtain. On BBC Breakfast News this morning it was stated that for the cost of the licence fee we get 10 TV channels and 10 radio stations. Well I only get 2 TV channels unless I pay (again) for a digibox. So stop pretending that we get so much for our money when we don't!
Neil, Sheffield, England