Cancelling TV licence - can anyone explain my direct debit payment plan?

[WideAwakey]

I don't understand how the payment plan aligns with the current licence expiry date.

I remember when I used to pay annually. When it switched to monthly direct debits I recall the way the payment plan worked was 6 months in advance and 6 months after date of issue.

My current TV licence was issued in August this year and my payment plan shows payments started March this year and continue until February 2025.

Payments for my next TV licence will start March 2025 for the next licence that will be issued August 2025.

I've decided to cancel it as I don't watch or record any live TV and won't miss BBC channels on catch up.

However, if I cancel now I have 2 remaining payments in January and February for my current licence that expires in August 2025. So I assume cancelling now will cancel my current licence even though I'll have paid 10 out of 12 installments but still have 9 months left before expiry.

If I wait and cancel after my February payment has gone out, will my current licence remain valid until August 2025 even if I stop future monthly installments that would be advance payments for the next licence that isn't due for renewal until August 2025.

It's such a weird payment plan I don't think I'm being unreasonable for being confused by it.

If the licence is valid from August 2024 the payment plan is correct. You pay six months in advance then another six months. So payment for your licence for 2024 started in March 2024 and the sixth payment was in August. You should be on payment 9 so you've paid for 9 months from August 2024 to April 2025.

Don't cancel the direct debit without applying to TV Licensing. You can get a refund and cancel by looking at this advice
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/cancellations-and-refunds-top7

And then completing this form

https://forms.tvlicensing.co.uk/Viewer?FormName=Refund%20and%20cancellation%20request%20(1.3).wdf

For those wondering how this makes sense. You used to only be able to buy a licence for 6 or 12 months and you paid in full in advance. Thiis way you're still paying in advance for the TV you watch. It was brought in so the BBC's cash flow didn't get disrupted.

Thank you, I completed the online for requesting refund and cancellation. I don't know if the will cancel from the date of submission of form or if the TV licence will be cancelled on the date they process it.