'Save money' pitch to Ross households over TV licence price rise
CANNY householders in Ross-shire could save money by renewing their TV licence on time by March 31.
The TV Licensing database of more than 32 million addresses shows that 300,000 households across the UK have licences that expire on March 31, so can save £4 by renewing promptly before April 1.
On April 1, the cost of a colour licence will rise by £4 to £154.50. The cost of a black and white licence will rise by £1.50 to £52.
The Government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee, and in 2016 announced that it would rise in line with inflation for five years from April 1, 2017. The 2019 licence fee increase was announced in February this year.
The new licence fee amount equates to £2.97 a week or £12.87 a month, for which the BBC provides nine national TV channels and regional programming as well as 10 national radio stations, 40 local radio stations and one of the UK’s most popular websites.
It also offers the radio app BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
In the last financial year, the BBC says that 94 per cent of its controllable spend went on content for audiences and delivery, with just six per cent spent on running the organisation.
Programmes last year included Strictly Come Dancing, Killing Eve, Bodyguard, Dr Who, Peter Kay's Car Share, David Attenborough’s Dynasties, EastEnders, Match of the Day and coverage of Wimbledon and the World Cup.
Fergus Reid, spokesperson for TV Licensing in Scotland, said: “We know people are always looking for ways to make their money go further, which is why we are reminding people to renew their TV licence before the end of the month.
“We offer a range of ways to spread the cost, including direct debit and weekly cash payments at one of 28,000 PayPoint outlets around the country.”
