53% say BBC is not good value for money in new poll that threatens future of licence fee

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And many admit they have become disillusioned with the corporation's failure to produce enough distinctive programming.

The Ipsos MORI poll found the further north people live, the less support there is for the licence fee.

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Corporation chiefs had claimed that the method of funding still receives widespread support.

However, the results call into question the future of the fee.

According to the poll, 47 per cent disagree that the corporation represents 'good value for money'. Of those, more than half disagree strongly.

Only 41 per cent agree that the licence fee is an 'appropriate' way of funding it, with 37 per cent disagreeing.

And despite it being one of the fundamental remits of the BBC, 41 per cent of viewers disagree that the corporation is making unique programming.

Only 30 per cent agree that the broadcaster is being successful in its stated aim.

However, the BBC is committed to slashing the amount of new shows it makes and upping repeats in an attempt to save cash.

The poll, commissioned by The Guardian, also shows the corporation is losing support in large groups of the population.

In Scotland, only 35 per cent of those questioned support the licence fee as the right way to fund the BBC, with 47 per cent against it.

In the North of England, 37 per cent back the fee, while 44 per cent do not agree with it. In London, 41 per cent support it and 28 per cent do not.

Only recently, the man behind Yes Minister, Sir Antony Jay, claimed the BBC should scrap all its channels apart from BBC1 and Radio 4.

He said all other stations were a waste as they were 'indistinguishable' from what other broadcasters such as ITV and Channel 4 were providing.

Jay said that it would soon reach the point where the BBC would not be able to justify asking the public to pay more than £3billion a year for programmes 'they do not want or can obtain for free elsewhere'.