Under new proposals for the ways in which public service broadcasting (PSB) could be funded, Ofcom has suggested a possible broadband levy.

In its review of ways to fund PSB - which traditionally has very little financial value to broadcasters - the industry regulator suggested that broadband providers could be faced with a tax to reflect the changes in the ways in which people are accessing broadcast content.

Ofcom is concerned about the future of flagship PSB programmes such as Channel 4's Dispatches, as well as a host of other content such as news broadcasts and children's programming, the Telegraph notes.

The broadband tax proposal is at present just one of the options under consideration.

Another suggestion is "top-slicing", which would force the BBC to share part of its public funding with other broadcasters to ensure PSB programmes are financially viable.

Ofcom has said that it will consult a broad range of stakeholders in consideration of the future possibilities for PSB funding before the end of its first consultation period on June 19th.