TV Licence fee rise: How much is the licence fee rising by in April?
- last month
The latest in a long line of household bill increases - the TV licence fee is about to go up with the new financial year. 1 April will see those with a television forking out £169.50, an inflation-busting rise of £10.50.
If you're currently paying for your licence in instalments, either by direct debit or payment card, you'll continue to pay a total of £159. You won't pay the new higher price until your licence is next due for renewal from next month.
But what exactly are we paying for? You used to get a licence for simply having a TV, but not anymore. You'll need one if you watch any live TV at all, or use BBC iPlayer. 86% of the licence fee is spent on BBC TV channels, radio stations, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and online services.
Culture sec Lucy Frazer said the rise is down to the BBC already feeling the impact of people cancelling their TV licence as people turn to streaming services. But critics of the rise say households are already struggling through the cost of living crisis.
If you're currently paying for your licence in instalments, either by direct debit or payment card, you'll continue to pay a total of £159. You won't pay the new higher price until your licence is next due for renewal from next month.
But what exactly are we paying for? You used to get a licence for simply having a TV, but not anymore. You'll need one if you watch any live TV at all, or use BBC iPlayer. 86% of the licence fee is spent on BBC TV channels, radio stations, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and online services.
Culture sec Lucy Frazer said the rise is down to the BBC already feeling the impact of people cancelling their TV licence as people turn to streaming services. But critics of the rise say households are already struggling through the cost of living crisis.