UK households having BBC TV Licence bill reduced to £0 amid £174 price hike

UK households are having their BBC TV Licences reduced to £0 ahead of a rise to £174 next year. The BBC licence fee will return to rising in line with the annual rate of inflation again for the first time in three years next year, it has been confirmed.

Labour Party culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said that from April next year the cost of an annual BBC licence fee will rise by £5 to £174.50, in line with the average consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation of 2.96% between October 2023 and September 2024.

But UK households have been reminded there's a way to escape the charge - by cancelling. You can cancel your licence if you no longer watch TV on all channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels or watch TV on pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV.

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You can also cancel your licence if you no longer watch live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video or use BBC iPlayer. You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either you're registered blind or severely sight impaired or you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired.

“We welcome confirmation that the licence fee will increase in line with inflation next year,” said a spokesperson for the BBC. “We want everyone to get value from the licence fee and we are committed to delivering trusted news, the best homegrown storytelling and those special moments that bring us together.”

“Through the charter review we will have an honest national conversation about the broadcaster’s long-term future,” said Nandy, in a written statement to parliament on Friday. “Ensuring the BBC has a sustainable public funding model that supports its vital work but is also fair and responsible to those who pay for it.”

“In the short term we are providing the BBC with funding certainty,” Nandy said. “[And] supporting thousands more households facing financial hardship to spread the cost of a TV licence.” The BBC spokesperson added: “We also look forward to the debate about the future and working with the government to ensure sustainable, long-term public funding”.