MPs Urge BBC to Stop Overspending on Overseas Hits Like Suits and Schitt's Creek

The BBC has been told it should stop paying "over the odds" for the rights to popular overseas programmes, including the legal drama Suits and the comedy series Schitt's Creek. The criticism comes from an influential cross-party group of MPs who published a wide-ranging report on the corporation's funding and long-term future.

The House of Commons culture and media committee, which draws members from multiple political parties, set out its concerns in a report that examines how the BBC is financed and how it should be governed in the years ahead. Among a series of recommendations, the MPs argued that the broadcaster could "spend more wisely when competing for programming".

Although the BBC commissions and produces a large share of its own output, it also purchases international titles to fill its television channels and the iPlayer streaming service. The committee took particular aim at the corporation's habit of entering bidding contests with commercial UK broadcasters for foreign shows whose original deals with other networks or streaming platforms have come to an end.

The report specifically named Suits, Schitt's Creek and Scooby Doo as examples of overseas content that the BBC acquired after contracts with rival services expired. In the case of Suits, the programme found a fresh wave of viewers in recent years, partly thanks to the presence of Meghan Markle, the future Duchess of Sussex, in its cast. Schitt's Creek, meanwhile, was picked up by the BBC after the comedy left Netflix, and it went on to attract a dedicated British following.

The MPs concluded that paying premium prices for such acquisitions does not represent good value for money for households that fund the BBC through the licence fee. "At a time of constrained resources, the BBC should not be paying over the odds for overseas content, particularly when it's a bidding war against commercial UK broadcasters," the committee said in its report.

The chair of the committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, framed the report as arriving at "a pivotal moment for the BBC". She noted that the corporation is simultaneously dealing with shifting media habits among audiences, declining income, and ongoing negotiations with the government over the licence fee system. She argued that the government "must ensure the BBC has a universal and sustainable source of funding".

At the same time, Dame Caroline said the BBC itself has a responsibility to act prudently. She called on the corporation to "play its part by sweating its assets and boxing clever for the licence payer", including putting an end to "illogical practices such as outbidding commercial rivals for overseas hits such as Suits, Schitt's Creek and Scooby Doo".

The BBC pushed back on the criticism, stating that it devotes less than 5% of its content budget to acquiring shows, a smaller proportion than other broadcasters. A spokesperson described such purchases as a cost-effective method of delivering high-quality programming to audiences, who may then go on to discover homegrown BBC content. The corporation also welcomed the report overall, saying it contained "some important and interesting recommendations on the future of the BBC".

Beyond the question of overseas acquisitions, the report delivered a blunt verdict on the current TV licence fee, describing it as "outdated and no longer fit for purpose". The MPs pointed to a striking gap: while roughly 94% of individuals in the UK use the BBC each month, only about 80% of households actually pay for a TV licence. They recommended reform so that the fee is no longer tied to the consumption of live television or to a particular device such as a television set.

The committee suggested that expanding the funding base while reducing the cost for each individual payer could make the change more palatable to the public. This aligns with comments previously made by BBC director-general Matt Brittin, who has described the existing licence fee model as "a busted flush" and "yesterday's model". He has indicated that the price could be lowered if more people contributed under an overhauled system.

The report also set out a series of ideas aimed at strengthening the BBC's position in a rapidly changing media landscape. It recommended that the corporation explore the possibility of introducing an international TV licence to boost revenue and expand its global audience. It further suggested that the BBC work with independent production companies, which own the rights to many of its programmes, to ensure more titles remain available on iPlayer.

On infrastructure, the MPs proposed developing the BBC's current premises with facilities capable of "harnessing the potential of new media and supporting the creator economy". They also urged the government to legislate so that smart TV remote controls include a dedicated BBC button, and to press YouTube to give a certain level of prominence to content made by the BBC and other British public service broadcasters.

The committee backed the idea of opening up iPlayer to programmes from other public service broadcasters, such as Channel 4. That suggestion gained traction earlier in the week when Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said she was open to her network's content being hosted on the platform. The MPs also called for an end to political appointments to the BBC board, arguing that governance would improve and public trust would be strengthened as a result.

In addition, the report recommended that the BBC be given new public purposes relating to innovation and technology, as well as combating misinformation and disinformation. The recommendations land as the government weighs its options for the next BBC Royal Charter, which will determine how the broadcaster is governed, regulated and funded from 2028 onwards.

Dame Caroline closed with a message of qualified support for the corporation. She acknowledged that the BBC has its faults, but said it drives the UK's creative economy, supports democracy through media sovereignty, and delivers world-class entertainment that brings people together. "Like a much-loved family member, we may criticise and grumble about the BBC but we would miss it enormously if it were no longer here for us," she said, while the committee warned that without reform the broadcaster risks a future of "managed decline".