BBC TV licence fee rising by £5.50 to £180 from April 2026 – Fresh blow to families
The UK TV licence fee is set to rise to £180 per year for a colour TV licence starting 1 April 2026. This official announcement from the government means households will pay an extra £5.50 annually, equivalent to about 46p per month, compared to the current rate of £174.50.
This change follows the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, which requires the fee to increase each year in line with inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index, CPI) until the end of the current BBC Charter period in 2027. The rise is calculated at approximately 3.14% based on the annualised average CPI.
Why is the TV licence fee going up in 2026?
According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the increase will help keep the BBC on a stable financial footing. This allows the broadcaster to deliver high-quality content for audiences and support the wider UK creative industries.
The BBC remains the UK’s number one media brand, with 94% of adults using its services monthly, and remains the most trusted news source for many.
The fee funds BBC TV, radio, online services, and more, without advertising on its main channels. The rise also means S4C (the Welsh-language broadcaster) will receive around £100 million in 2026/27 from the licence fee pot to support Welsh creative growth. The government has confirmed the fee will increase again in line with CPI inflation in April 2027, the final year of the current settlement.
Black and white TV licence fee 2026
The black and white TV licence will also rise, from £58.50 to £60.50 – an increase of £2.
Who gets help with TV licence costs?
Several concessions remain in place to support vulnerable households:
- Free TV licence for over-75s receiving Pension Credit.
- Discounted fees for blind individuals and those in residential care homes.
- The Simple Payment Plan allows spreading payments into smaller, more manageable instalments – with expanded access and growing uptake among households facing financial difficulty.
Future of the TV licence fee – Charter review underway
This increase comes amid ongoing discussions about the BBC’s long-term funding. The government is running a public consultation as part of the BBC Charter Review (the current Charter ends on 31 December 2027).
This looks at options to ensure the BBC remains sustainable, trusted, impartial, and valuable for licence fee payers while supporting jobs and growth across the UK.
TV licence 2026 – Key facts at a glance
- New colour TV licence fee: £180 (from 1 April 2026)
- Increase amount: +£5.50 (from £174.50)
- Monthly equivalent extra: ~46p
- Black and white fee: £60.50
- Effective date: 1 April 2026
- Reason: Inflation-linked per 2022 settlement
- BBC impact: Stable funding for audiences and creative industries
- Concessions: Free for qualifying over-75s on Pension Credit; discounts for blind/care homes; payment plans available
If you’re wondering whether you need a TV licence or how to check eligibility for discounts, head to the official TV Licensing website. With living costs still a concern for many, this £180 fee in 2026 is a key household expense to plan for.
