BBC's £1bn digital spend

The BBC confirmed yesterday that it planned to invest about £1 billion sterling over the next five years to set up its digital television, radio and online services. The BBC is funded by an annual £91.50 TV licence fee levied on British households. Last year, its licence fee income reached a record of more than £2 billion, the BBC said. The company spent £96 million last year on its digital services as Britain prepares for the full introduction of digital TV this autumn.