Having spent nearly 10 years in the BBC, I know a little about it.

Institutionally incestuous, short of resources for regional programming and paying excessive awards for senior management and ‘stars’ - all have played a part in undermining our national broadcaster.

Predictably, there was some push-back this week after the Government announced that the licence fee would be frozen at £159 for two years, then allowed to rise in line with inflation until this charter period ends.

After that, there will be new funding arrangements – as yet, unspecified.

Former BBC Director General Michael Grade welcomed the debate, saying the fee was ‘too much money’.

He added that despite making significant savings, the BBC had never ‘given up any turf,’ like BBC2 and BBC4.

To his credit, current DG Tim Davie admitted that, ‘everything is on the agenda’.

This is not a political move, as some would claim.

It is, in fact, a long overdue recognition that the organisation must urgently reshape for a digital age.

Even 74 per cent of ultra-loyal listeners told Radio 4’s Today programme they want the fee scrapped.

Imposing one – and criminalising those who refuse to pay it – no longer works, particularly when viewers subscribe elsewhere for content they want.

Already, the writing is on the wall, with payments down by £1.36 million this year.

The BBC will be 100 in 2023.

It’s a magnificent milestone for what must be the finest broadcasting system in the world, with a reach and influence far beyond this island nation.

But, if it’s to survive, it must adapt and fast.

I would suggest that the politicisation of its news’ agenda is the first area that Mr Davie should scrutinise.

Balanced and impartial it is not.