Recent ‘tough period’ is not the real existential threat facing the BBC

<p>Shifting media landscape and declining income from licence fee point to tough financial choices ahead</p><p>As understatement goes, Tim Davie appeared to have mastered it as he presented the BBC’s annual report. Questions poured in over whether he had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jul/01/tim-davies-bbc-leadership-hit-allies-fear-bob-vylan">ever considered his position</a> as a succession of problems landed on his desk this year. In response, he acknowledged he and the BBC had faced a “tough period”.</p><p>The failure to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jul/07/music-trade-bodies-accuse-bbc-of-arbitrary-changes-after-bob-vylan-glastonbury-set">cut a Glastonbury live stream</a>, missed opportunities to correct the behaviour of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/14/report-gregg-wallace-behaviour-claims-ex-bbc-presenter">former presenter Gregg Wallace</a> and criticism over its handling of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jul/04/gary-lineker-bbc-should-hold-head-shame-gaza-film">two Gaza documentaries</a> have seen a huge amount of opprobrium heading the BBC’s way in recent weeks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jul/15/recent-tough-period-is-not-the-real-existential-threat-facing-the-bbc">Continue reading...</a>