BBC TV Licence fee to rise again for millions of UK households next year

James Rodger
·2-min read
BBC TV Licence fee to rise next year with exact date of new charge announced
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The BBC TV licence fee will rise AGAIN next year. The price of a TV licence will rise by £5, from £169.50 to £174.50, from next April as the 2.96% increase of the licence fee aims to provide it with a "stable financial footing". The price of a black and white TV licence will also rise by £1.50, going from £57 a year to £58.50.

Labour Party MP and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Parliament: "The BBC provides much-needed programming for households across the country. That includes children's education, world-class entertainment and trusted news for all people in all parts of the UK."

Nandy added: "I want to see the BBC thrive for decades to come. Through the Charter Review, we will have an honest national conversation about the broadcaster’s long-term future. This will ensure the BBC has a sustainable public funding model that supports its vital work but is also fair and responsive to those who pay for it.

READ MORE: New National Insurance rules could see 130,000 people lose their jobs

READ MORE: British Gas issues warning to customers who are using hot water bottles

READ MORE Drivers who don't press three dashboard buttons in specific order face £2,500 fine

"In the short term, we are providing the BBC with funding certainty, while supporting thousands more households facing financial hardship to spread the cost of a TV licence." Viewers can legally use the following services without a TV Licence as long as you aren’t using them to watch or stream live TV:

  • On demand TV – such as catch-up TV and on demand previews, which are available through services including ITV Player, All 4, My5, BT Vision/BT TV, Virgin Media, Sky Go, Now TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. You can't watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer without a TV licence.

  • On demand movies - from services such as Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.

  • Recorded films and programmes - either via DVD or Blu-ray, or downloaded from the internet.

  • YouTube - Video clips that aren't live through services such as YouTube.