MPA lobbies against UK plan for streamers to help collect BBC funding

The core proposal

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is lobbying against proposals in the United Kingdom that could require its members to support the BBC in collecting its funding. The MPA, a trade body representing major U.S. studios, includes streaming leaders Netflix and the Walt Disney Company among its members. The proposed legislative changes would create new obligations for on-demand services operating in the UK, linking them to the public funding mechanism for the nation's public broadcaster.

The pushback from the MPA underscores the emerging tension between global streaming platforms and established national broadcasters. The BBC is primarily financed by the public, and the government is exploring ways to modernize its funding model in an era dominated by on-demand viewing, where the BBC's own iPlayer competes directly with services from MPA members.

The MPA's opposition

The MPA's membership also includes Hollywood giants Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, both of whom operate their own global streaming services. The organization has formally registered its opposition to the plan with UK lawmakers. While the exact details of the proposals are not public, the central idea that private companies could be enlisted to facilitate the collection of public funds is the primary point of contention.

According to sources familiar with the lobbying efforts, the MPA's position is that its members should not be responsible for supporting the funding structure of a public media company. This stance sets the stage for a significant policy battle, placing the commercial interests of the world's largest entertainment companies in direct opposition to the financial future of one of its most prominent public institutions.