BBC TV licence holders have been told that they might be entitled to a free licence or a 50% reduction if they meet certain requirements
This adjustment can help many struggling households reduce their spendings. Viewers are advised to check if they qualify for a free TV licence, since around 500,000 homes cancelled their last year.
BBC Faces Financial Challenges Amid Declining TV Licence Revenue
The annual report from the TV network reveals that 23.9 million British households paid the £169.50 licence fee, a decrease from 24.4 million the year before.
This drop resulted in an £80 million decline in revenue from licence fees. The drop in revenue comes at a particularly tough period for the BBC, which is already struggling with financial constraints due to budget reductions and escalating inflation.
BBC Offers Reduced TV Licence Rates
The BBC is offering reduced TV licence rates to eligible individuals and households. In fact, older people who are 75 or older and benefit from pension credit can benefit from a free TV licence. Meanwhile, students who live away from their parents' home may still be included under their parents' TV licence, as long as they use devices like phones, laptops, or tablets to watch TV.
Families with a member who is severely sight-impaired or blind can get a 50% discount on their TV licence fee. Furthermore, people living in residential care homes or sheltered housing could qualify for a reduced TV licence, of only £7.50 per room, flat, or bungalow.
However, both the person and the residence must meet specific criteria to be eligible. The TV Licensing Authority website specifies: “If you're watching away from your parents' address on a device powered solely by its own internal batteries (i.e. it is not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains) you will be covered by their TV Licence.”, as reported by Birmingham Live.
The website also stated: “And if someone in your household is visually impaired, you get half price of your licence fee. You can apply for a concessionary TV licence, costing £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow if you live in sheltered accommodation or sheltered care.”