Ratings slump a new threat to licence fee

BBC audiences have slumped to their lowest level in years, according to viewing figures released today.

The number of people tuning into the BBC's terrestrial and digital channels fell by just under 4.5 per cent last year, taking overall audience share from 38.3 per cent in 2003 to 36.62 per cent.

Industry figures say if the trend continues, the BBC will be watched by less than a third of TV audiences by the end of 2006.

The decline gives fresh impetus to calls for the BBC's licence fee to be axed. The Broadcasters' Audience Research Board figures also reveal that BBC News 24 had an audience share of 0.35 per cent - down from 0.40 per cent in 2003.