How to pay and more information
The 2006/7 colour TV licence costs £10.96 per month - about 36p per day for each household. It is free if you are over 75, half-price if you are registered blind.
The annual cost (set by the Government) is currently
£131.50. A black and white TV licence is £44. There is no radio licence. There are regulations governing the licensing of second homes, residential homes, hotels, students or special situations.
Need more help or information?
For help and information about your licence contact TV Licensing or call 0870 241 6468 (minicom 0870 575 8604)
You can read the BBC Governors' Annual Report on the BBC's performance during 2004/5.
The BBC has submitted its case for a new licence fee settlement covering the next Charter period. Full details are on our Future of the BBC website.
How your licence is spent
The follwing information relates to 2004/5 and will be updated in July 2006 when the BBC Governors publish the Annual Report.
Each household's colour TV licence cost £10.08 every month in 2004/5. On average this was how the BBC used your money:
Average monthly licence fee spend
BBC One £3.60
BBC Two £1.47
Digital television channels £1.02
BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4 and Five Live £1.01
Transmission and collection costs £1.00
Nations & English Regions television £0.89
Local and nations radio £0.64
bbc.co.uk £0.35
Digital radio stations £0.10
Total £10.08
Note: Programme related costs such as marketing, and all overheads have been fully apportioned against channels/networks to show the total cost of BBC output.
We work hard to deliver value for money. In 2004 we launched a far-reaching drive to cut costs. This will allow us to spend more on new programmes and services. You can read more about the BBC's finances and costs in full in the Governors' Annual Report.
What your licence provides
The BBC is paid for directly through each household TV licence. This allows it to run a wide range of popular public services for everyone, free of adverts and independent of advertisers, shareholders or political interests. 95.6% of the UK population used the BBC every month in 2004/5.
The BBC provides 8 interactive TV channels, 10 radio networks, over 50 local TV and radio services and bbc.co.uk (see BBC channels). These provide local and national news, documentaries, arts, drama, entertainment, live music and children's programmes. The BBC also runs social action, education and minority language programmes. Its considerable investment in British programmes supports production and craft skills throughout the UK.
BBC World Service is funded by Government grant and not your TV licence. Profits from separate BBC commercial services help to keep the licence fee low.
