The Government has responded to an online petition calling for the abolishment of the TV licence after garnering 15,864 signatures.
Petitioners argued the TV licence is “outdated” and “unwanted” and can push people into debt.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, responded by indicating that the fee will remain for the duration of “this charter”, but also recognised the “challenges” posed by the current model. It added that the Government is actively exploring methods to ensure that future funding for the BBC is both fair and sustainable.
The statement reads: “The BBC is a great national institution, making a unique contribution to the UK. The Government wants it to have a successful future, continuing to play its important role in producing compelling programmes, contributing to our thriving creative industries, and supporting thousands of jobs across the UK.
“We also want to see the BBC continuing to provide high-quality and impartial news to global audiences through the World Service, which is currently funded in part by the licence fee.
“The Government is committed to the licence fee for the rest of the current Charter. However, the BBC‘s funding model faces major challenges due to changes in the way people consume media.
“Technology has revolutionised how, when, and where audiences can access and watch content. An increasing number of households are choosing not to hold a TV licence, as fewer people choose to watch live TV or other activities that require a TV licence. Should this trend continue as expected there are clear challenges on the horizon to the sustainability of the licence fee.”
The department also acknowledged that enforcing the license fee through criminal sanctions is becoming increasingly “disproportionate and unfair” in a modern public service broadcasting system.
It continued: “We are particularly concerned by the potential for licence fee enforcement action to be taken against vulnerable elderly people and by the ongoing disparity in the proportion of sanctions against women, with women making up 75 percent of all TV licence evasion convictions.
“It is therefore necessary to look at ways of ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable in the long-term. The Government will carry out a review of the BBC’s funding model. We are considering all possible future funding options to ensure the BBC’s long-term sustainability in a rapidly changing, digital world.”
The funds generated by the TV licence fee supports the creation of BBC programmes and services and those who watch TV live – as well as those who stream BBC iPlayer – must pay the annual cost of £159. For black and white TV, the cost is reduced to £53.50.
While many Britons find they may need a TV licence, an increasing number are establishing that their watching habits mean they don’t.
People who find they don’t watch live TV and mainly stick to Netflix, Disney+, and catch-up services (excluding BBC iPlayer), don’t need a licence, meaning they could be entitled to cancel their payment completely.
Whereas some may find they qualify for discounts ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent. People can find out if they may be eligible here.
