The Price of Bias: Nearly One Million Britons Cancel BBC TV Licence

Nearly a million Britons cancelled their TV licence last year as viewers ditch BBC in favour of streaming services

More than 860,000 TV licenses were cancelled in 2017-18, compared to 798,000 in 2016-17.

The figures amount to 2,300 cancellations a day.

The BBC has confirmed the TV license’s price will increase to £154.50 starting from April, 1

Television licenses are compulsory to watch live television or use the BBC’s iPlayer service.

The charge applies whether the show is being watched on a TV set, computer, tablet or any other equipment.

In March last year, 25.8 million licenses were held.

It is now believed that the ‘Netflix effect’ is leading viewers to abandon their BBC TV licenses entirely.

Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Now TV do not require any license.