BBC may ask over-75s to give up free TV licence
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 6:15 amPeople over 75 may be asked to give up their free TV licence or make a voluntary contribution to it, under plans being considered by the BBC.
The corporation is due to take on the £650m cost of free licences for the over-75s from 2020 as part of a funding deal agreed with ministers last year.
A report on ways to appeal for voluntary contributions is due in 2016.
The BBC has refused to comment on suggestions that older celebrities might front a publicity campaign.
The Times reported that such a campaign could be run by personalities such as Sir Michael Parkinson and actress Dame Helen Mirren.
The BBC confirmed a consultancy business led by Lord O'Donnell - the former cabinet secretary - would report back within months on the best approach to asking people for contributions.
The corporation's payment of TV licences for the over 75s will be phased in from 2018-19.
In return, rules on paying for catch-up services such as iPlayer might be introduced and the licence fee will rise with inflation.
Funding free licence fees for over-75s cost the government £608m in 2013-14 - about a fifth of the BBC's budget.
In a statement made at the time of the announcement in July, the BBC said it was the "right deal... in difficult economic circumstances".
I don't see why I should have to pay to watch a programme on iPlayer which I've already paid for through the licence fee?