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Lower Licence Fee Hike
(19-01-07) - Fears that vulnerable and socially isolated people could be left behind in the digital switchover were reinforced this week as the BBC received a lower than expected licence fee increase.
The cost of the TV licence is currently £131.50, but will rise by three per cent over each of the next two years; going up to a maximum of £151 by 2012. But the BBC had actually requested a higher than inflation rise, partly to fund the digital switchover.
Money from the licence fee will fund a help scheme to aid the elderly and the disabled install digital TV before the Government turns off the last of the old fashioned analogue signals in 2012.
The cost to the BBC for helping to pay for the switchover is estimated at £600 million, and Director-General Mark Thompson warned that the corporation would now have to face “some very difficult choices”.
Chris Eagle, BroadbandChoices Commercial Manager said: “The BBC will need to think clearly about their priorities over the next 6 years. Ensuring that digital broadcasting is made available to every UK household, including under privileged groups of society is the most important priority for the BBC. The BBC must put access ahead of rolling out niche digital channels or functionality.”
Click here to read more on the Digital Switchover, or to see when the analogue signal will be turned off in your area.
