The BBC has announced plans to start charging UK pensioners the annual £157.50 ($199) licence fee from August after
BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said: “The decision to commence the new scheme in August has not been easy, but implementation of the new scheme will be Covid-19 safe. The BBC could not continue delaying the scheme without impacting on programmes and services.
“Like most organisations the BBC is under severe financial pressure due to the pandemic, yet we have continued to put the public first in all our decisions. I believe continuing to fund some free TV licences is the fairest decision for the public, as we will be supporting the poorest oldest pensioners without impacting the programmes and services that all audiences love.”
Julian Knight, the chair of the Parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the news was a “body blow” for British pensioners. “This mess is a result of a poor decision struck by the outgoing Director-General and now Britain’s pensioners are having to pick up the cost,” he added.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
BBC To Premiere Jonathan Glazer Film ‘Strasbourg 1518’; Rotterdam Rings The Changes; eOne Signs Free TV Deal; Barcroft Plans Gaming Show — Global BriefsBBC to premiere Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Strasbourg 1518’ Sexy Beast director Jonathan Glazer’s latest film Strasbourg 1518 is to premiere on BBC Two on July 20. The film is part …
Read more »
BBC to Produce Feature-Length ‘Britain vs Coronavirus’ DocumentaryAlthough the COVID-19 outbreak has not yet completed its lethal sweep, the U.K.’s public broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation is aiming to tell “the definitive story of the coronavirus…
Read more »
BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 Team For Unique Broadcast Celebrating UK Free-To-Air TV In The Age Of NetflixThe BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Scotland’s STV are joining forces to broadcast a short film that attempts to burnish the credentials of British free-to-air television at a time when U.…
Read more »
Mrs America: meet the cast of brand new drama on BBC from Cate Blanchett to James MarsdenThe American drama series is airing on the BBC on Wednesday night – meet the cast here...
Read more »
BBC To Premiere Jonathan Glazer Film ‘Strasbourg 1518’; Rotterdam Rings The Changes; eOne Signs Free TV Deal; Barcroft Plans Gaming Show — Global BriefsBBC to premiere Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Strasbourg 1518’ Sexy Beast director Jonathan Glazer’s latest film Strasbourg 1518 is to premiere on BBC Two on July 20. The film is part …
Read more »
BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 Team For Unique Broadcast Celebrating UK Free-To-Air TV In The Age Of NetflixThe BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Scotland’s STV are joining forces to broadcast a short film that attempts to burnish the credentials of British free-to-air television at a time when U.…
Read more »