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How long until the License Fee is dropped?

188 replies

mumofoneAloneandwell · 30/03/2026 22:07

I reckon by the end of this year, it will begin being phased out.

I am sad about it.

OP posts:
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randomchap · 30/03/2026 22:58

ProudAmberTurtle · 30/03/2026 22:56

Every time I put Radio 4 I get a lecture about misogyny from a cross-dressing man.

If that's your thang then go you.

I haven't paid the licence fee for several years and it's the best decision I ever made. Also funded a few lovely holidays

On all the programming? Every single time? Are you sure you're not listening to a recording?

ProudAmberTurtle · 30/03/2026 22:56

ABigBlueWhale · 30/03/2026 22:52

Thank God we have a sensible Labour government in power at the moment of charter renewal.
I'm glad the BBC will be in safe hands.
They should just fund the BBC out of tax to stop people moaning about the license fee.

I know it's not perfect, but it's absolutely worth keeping. It's a real big positive in a world of negativity.
Every time I turn on Radio 4, there is something interesting to listen to. The BBC haters should try it some time.

Every time I put Radio 4 I get a lecture about misogyny from a cross-dressing man.

If that's your thang then go you.

I haven't paid the licence fee for several years and it's the best decision I ever made. Also funded a few lovely holidays

HappiestSleeping · 30/03/2026 22:55

Done. Thanks for this. I get no value from the licence fee, and responded to the recent consultation with the same message.

I am not the target market for the BBC, so don't see why I should have to pay for something I don't use.

Changingplace · 30/03/2026 22:54

Catza · 30/03/2026 22:48

Just put adverts on like the rest of them.. I highly doubt Nutella is dictating what content channel 4 should produce so what's the problem with adverts? Then they can charge for add free service, again, like the rest of the channels.

There isn’t enough advertising revenue in TV to make this sustainable, other channels would likely close and the industry would lose a lot of jobs, the government wouldn’t let this happen, it’d be too damaging to an industry that’s already struggling.

ProudAmberTurtle · 30/03/2026 22:53

If you like the licence fee then good for you, you pay it.

That's how subscription TV works.

I'm not paying my money so extremely morally dubious TV presenters on half a million a year can tell us women have penises. But you do you!

randomchap · 30/03/2026 22:53

Let's not

This website has no details on it about who funds or owns it. Dodgy as fuck

ABigBlueWhale · 30/03/2026 22:52

Thank God we have a sensible Labour government in power at the moment of charter renewal.
I'm glad the BBC will be in safe hands.
They should just fund the BBC out of tax to stop people moaning about the license fee.

I know it's not perfect, but it's absolutely worth keeping. It's a real big positive in a world of negativity.
Every time I turn on Radio 4, there is something interesting to listen to. The BBC haters should try it some time.

Belgic · 30/03/2026 22:51

What are the taxes that we do consent to?

I pay tax because the law says I should do. I don’t do it voluntarily or from some moral impulse.

randomchap · 30/03/2026 22:50

Fiosgrass · 30/03/2026 22:21

The abolishment of the licence fee will be a massive loss?!

It'll lead to the loss of the bbc and will damage chanel 4.

Obviously

ProudAmberTurtle · 30/03/2026 22:49

The obsession with left wing diversity and especially transgenderism at the expense of quality programming has killed it but the licence fee is a nonsense irrespective of this.

It's legal to get a VPN, set it to the US and watch The Twilight Zone channel on Pluto TV. It's all one-off shows made in the 1950s and 1960s in the US, and is only available to US viewers

But because Pluto TV describes itself as an app broadcasting live TV channels, you have to pay a licence to the BBC to be allowed to watch it.

Over my dead body!!

Catza · 30/03/2026 22:48

Just put adverts on like the rest of them.. I highly doubt Nutella is dictating what content channel 4 should produce so what's the problem with adverts? Then they can charge for add free service, again, like the rest of the channels.

atomeve · 30/03/2026 22:47

Changingplace · 30/03/2026 22:45

Strange that because half the time people are complaining they give too much airtime to Reform, which would be a very strange thing to do if they’re so left leaning…?

Agree. If anything I feel the BBC has overcorrected for previously being slightly left leaning.

Wolmando · 30/03/2026 22:47

It's generally the left that want to keep it.

Changingplace · 30/03/2026 22:45

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 22:42

I don't agree.

We aren't supposed to get adverts on the Beeb, but every time I look it's showing adverts for what's on.

It's so Left Wing and woke it's nearly coming back on itself.

Strange that because half the time people are complaining they give too much airtime to Reform, which would be a very strange thing to do if they’re so left leaning…?

atomeve · 30/03/2026 22:45

Hopefully never. Looking at the state of the US had made me very appreciative of having a publicy funded broadcaster.

Silverbellsandtacoshells · 30/03/2026 22:42

RampantIvy · 30/03/2026 22:35

No. I won't sign it.

We get good value from the licence fee.

I don't agree.

We aren't supposed to get adverts on the Beeb, but every time I look it's showing adverts for what's on.

It's so Left Wing and woke it's nearly coming back on itself.

GlobalTravellerbutespeciallyBognor · 30/03/2026 22:40

I like many programmes on the BBC plus Radio so I would subscribe if it came to it.

However, I don’t see why others should be forced to pay for things that I want. It isn’t like that in other fields.

It’s also outrageously unfair that other channels have to fund themselves with advertising etc.

We will look back at the BBC licence fee with absolutely awe and wonderment that they managed to keep such a big scam running so long.

InterestedDad37 · 30/03/2026 22:37

I compare it to the NHS - the Beeb has many faults, but we'd be idiots to lose it!

Vetiver · 30/03/2026 22:36

I’d forgotten how ridiculous the TV licence is, if they want people to have one they need to make it easier and fairer to pay, I’ve just moved house after living with family and bought a new TV licence today… £14 ish a month, ok irritating but fine, only you get to check out and it’s actually £34 ish for 6 months first… why the hell do I need to always be 6 months ahead on my TV licence! Seems like a scam, and made me think surely I should have been due some back when I moved in with family a few years ago.

RampantIvy · 30/03/2026 22:36

Closetangel · 30/03/2026 22:35

I haven't payed my license for about 30 years. Can't believe people still pay it 😂

Because we watch a fair bit of live or recorded TV.

Greyblankie · 30/03/2026 22:35

Thanks for the link ☺️

Closetangel · 30/03/2026 22:35

I haven't payed my license for about 30 years. Can't believe people still pay it 😂

RampantIvy · 30/03/2026 22:35

No. I won't sign it.

We get good value from the licence fee.