As the cost of living crisis continues, many will be looking at ways to avoid the potential price hike as they won’t be able to afford another financial burden being placed on their already stretched budgets.
Currently, the BBC licence fee is set at £159, and has been at this level for the past two years.
However as the BBC try and cut back, they have proposed a nine percent increase from April next year.
This would be a rise of around £15 annually, bringing the total licence fee to an expected £173.30.
When asked about a rise above £170, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “Well, obviously, that’s high. This is something that we’re looking at, at the moment. And we’ll be making a decision on this in due course.”
How to avoid paying the hiked TV Licence bill
Britons could avoid paying the increased levy for a year by paying a month before the planned hike. If families paid for the yearly fee in March 2024, they would not have to pay the increased fee until 2025.
This way they can plan ahead for the increase and save up extra cash to cover the difference.
People can pay for a new TV Licence with a Direct Debit or by debit or credit card.
Britons need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
- watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or
- download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.
This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
If people do any of the above without a valid licence, they risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and/or compensation they may be ordered to pay.
People will also still have to buy a TV Licence if they need one.
When do I need a TV licence?
Those who watch or record TV on any channel via any TV service (e.g. Sky, Virgin, Freeview, Freesat), they need to be covered by a TV Licence.
If people watch live on streaming services (e.g. ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Sky Go), or use BBC iPlayer, they need to be covered by a TV Licence.
People don’t need a TV Licence if they never watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer on any device so could save themseleves the £159 fee.
People don’t need a TV Licence if they’re only watching on demand programmes on Amazon Prime or Netflix.
Could you get a concession?
Individuals could get up to 100% off their TV licence bill if they or is someone they live with is aged 75 or older, and receiving Pension Credit. They can apply for a free TV Licence.
Britons need to be receiving Pension Credit in their name, or this can be in their partner’s name if they are a couple and living at the same address.
Those who are 74 years old and receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence now, plus a short-term licence to cover them until their 75th birthday.
Britons who are blind or severely sight impaired may be eligible to apply for a 50 percent concession.
They can complete and print out an online application form at tvlicensing.co.uk/blind and send it to them along with a copy of their document of blind registration or a certificate from your ophthalmologist.
They will also need their licence number, phone number and cheque payment.
When will costs rise?
If licence fees do rise, they would likely change in April 2024.
A BBC spokesperson said: “The government and BBC agreed a six-year licence fee settlement in January 2022, which froze the licence fee for two years with increases in line with inflation from 2024. As is usual practice the government sets and confirms the cost of a licence each year and this remains unconfirmed for 2024/25.
“The BBC will continue to focus on what it does best: working to deliver world-class content and providing great value for all audiences.”
