The BBC has released a four-minute advert packed with its biggest stars in a bid to encourage the public to pay the TV license fee, following a drop of more than half a million licenses in a single year. The ad, titled 'What has the BBC ever done for me?', aired on Sunday, July 19, and features comedian Romesh Ranganathan navigating through iconic BBC shows.
Star-Studded Lineup
The advert opens with Romesh in EastEnders' The Queen Vic, alongside Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Coldplay's Chris Martin on piano. He encounters Claudia Winkleman, Alan Carr, Ruth Jones, Pudsey the Bear, and Daleks from Doctor Who. The journey continues through Casualty, BBC News with Clive Myrie, and radio shows with Vernon Kay and Lauren Laverne. Other appearances include Sir David Jason, Sue Perkins, and Greg James.
Viewer Reactions Divided
Reactions on social media were mixed. One X user complained: 'They’re really begging people to get a TV licence these days, how many people have cancelled?' Another called it a 'cringe fest.' However, some praised the ad, with a YouTube comment saying: 'Brilliant. The BBC doesn’t get everything right but it shouldn’t... well worth the licence fee.' Another viewer wrote: 'Love this. It makes me very sad that the BBC had to make this, but it was great fun.'
Economic Impact Highlighted
In the ad, Romesh sings about Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Graham Norton, and David Attenborough, noting that the BBC has no ads. He also reveals the license fee contributes £6.5 billion to the UK economy. Documentary maker Louis Theroux appears, threatening to 'turn the BBC off,' saying: 'None of this has to exist if we don’t want it to!' The ad ends with the text: 'There's a BBC for each of us. Funded by all of us.'
