The corporation is coming under continued scrutiny after deciding to charge pensioners the annual fee to watch television in the UK. The BBC argues that its licence helps the broadcaster to develop and release a wide ranging scipe of television, radio and interactive services for the public. The broadcaster also argues it helps to achieve its public broadcasting remit to “inform, educate, and entertain.”

But the price of a TV licence has creeped up steadily over the last few years.

On April 1 2019, the cost of the annual licence rose from £150.50 to £154.50.

For black and white televisions sets, the cost is lowered to £52 per year.

And anyone who watches live or recorded programmes on a TV or on Iplayer must pay the licence fee.

It followed the government’s announcement in 2016 that the cost would rise in line with inflation, for five years, starting on April 1 2017.

In February, the broadcaster explained the benefits of paying the fee, saying in a statement: “The BBC provides nine national TV channels plus regional programming; 10 national radio stations, 40 local radio stations plus dedicated Nations radio services; one of the UK’s most popular websites; the radio app BBC Sounds; and BBC iPlayer.

“In the last financial year 94 percent of the BBC’s controllable spend went on content for audiences and delivery, with just 6 percent spent on running the organisation.”

Tory leadership contender Jeremy Hunt, when Culture Secretary negotiated a settlement with the BBC in June.

He said he would honour the commitment to provide free licences.

He said: “I gave them enough money.”

The news came as it emerged in the past five years 132 people went to prison over non-payments but just five were jailed in 2018.

Recently, it also came to light that half of Britons aren’t using the television as their first choice for watching broadcasts, according to a study by video production software group Grabyo.

Instead, it found that they plan to watch on social media or by online streaming services.

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