The same number of people pay their BBC license fee as they did 20 years ago, despite the UK’s population increasing by 8 million in that time.
Nearly one in 10 people are now thought to be risking prison time by watching TV without a license, almost twice the rate a decade ago.
It is a crime to not pay for the license when you should be and almost 1,000 people a week are prosecuted for failing to pay the fee.
In August, nearly three million people said they were no longer willing to pay the annual charge as they have no desire in watching the BBC’s content.
Almost 1,000 people a week are prosecuted for failing to pay the fee
GETTYWith fewer people feeling they have to pay, TV Licensing (TVL), the body responsible for selling licences and collecting fees, has observed a sales decline.
In 2022, the establishment sold 23.50 million new licences, over 400,000 fewer than the previous year.
License fees make up a significant amount of the BBC’s funding, so fewer sales weaken the broadcaster’s finances.
As sales declines, the BBC has racked up its license fee’s price.
The BBC license fee per year currently stands at £159 per household for colour TV, however in April 2024, this will rise to £169.50.
The £10.50 license fee increase, which was announced earlier this month, has also enraged many, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looking to intervene.
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The Prime Minister also urged the corporation not to push for a large increase in the licence fee and be “realistic about what it can expect people to pay at a time like this”.
Over a century ago, people were paying just 10 shillings (50p) which equates to £29 in today’s money. However as of April, the new fee will be nearly six times that.
Users flocked to social media to express their outrage at the increased fee.
One said: Don’t pay - won’t pay, haven’t for 3 years up theres!”
Another added: “If it goes up again I’ll definitely be cancelling my license.”
A third chimed in: “It should be scrapped, it boils my blood, I pay for virgin, Netflix, prime, Disney all which I watch. I can safely say I don’t watch any BBC. It’s time it was gone. Easily can be done. Was valid back in the day when 3 channels existed. Now it’s not!”
Speaking to GB News earlier this month, Conservative MP Lee Anderson blasted the planned license fee hike, saying that the taxpayer was being “hoodwinked”.
In August, nearly three million people said they were no longer willing to pay the annual charge as they have no desire in watching the BBC’s content
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“People in the BBC are being paid massive salaries when people can barely afford to pay the TV licence.
“The taxpayer is being hoodwinked out of £159 to listen to people like Gary Lineker spout his nonsense.
“It’s meant to be an impartial service, anyone with an ounce of common sense will know it’s not impartial,” he said.
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."