BBC Introduces Paywall for US Visitors to Its Website
The BBC has rolled out a paid subscription model for its US-based digital audience, marking a significant shift in how the broadcaster delivers its news and feature content outside the UK.
From now on, users accessing BBC.com in the United States will be required to pay $8.99 per month or $49.99 per year to access most news stories, feature articles, and the live BBC News channel. This move mirrors the subscription strategies of other major media outlets, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Non-paying users in the US will still be able to access a limited selection of global breaking news, BBC Radio 4, the BBC World Service, language services, and a few free newsletters and podcasts – all supported by advertising.
Rebecca Glashow, CEO of BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming, described the move as a “major milestone” that would allow the BBC to better serve international audiences and open “new opportunities for growth.”
The BBC stressed that the change only applies to US audiences and will not affect users in the UK or other parts of the world. UK-based audiences will continue to fund BBC content primarily through the annual licence fee, which currently stands at £174.50 and accounts for roughly two-thirds of the broadcaster’s income.
The corporation is currently managing a projected £492 million deficit, and the new subscription service is part of efforts to diversify revenue amid growing financial pressure. BBC.com reportedly attracts nearly 60 million users from the US alone, out of 139 million global visitors.
BBC News CEO Deborah Turness said the new model comes at a time when access to trusted information is more critical than ever. “We are growing our audiences in North America – providing more people with news they can trust at a time of dramatic global uncertainty,” she said.
More content is expected to be added to the subscription offering in the coming months, including documentaries, podcasts, and additional newsletters. A similar paywall is also planned for the BBC app in the US at a later date.
The decision follows the BBC’s recent announcement to restrict access to most stations on the BBC Sounds app for international audiences, as the broadcaster recalibrates its global digital strategy.
