A new online petition is calling for the annual £180 TV licence fee to be scrapped for households across the UK and for the BBC to be privatised. The petition, created by Richard Peckham and posted on the UK Parliament website, argues that the BBC should compete independently in the media market without funding from the TV licence.
The campaigner proposes abolishing payments and for the BBC's Royal Charter to be revoked, with the broadcaster transitioned into a private corporation. More than 3,100 people have already signed the petition, which is open until November 5, 2026. At 10,000 signatures, the petition will receive a written response from the UK Government, and at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament.
Funding review underway
The call comes as the UK Government conducts a once-in-a-decade review of the BBC's Royal Charter, which includes consideration of how the broadcaster should be funded in the future. The petition argues that changes in viewing habits and the growth of streaming services have weakened the case for the current funding model. It also questions why a TV licence is needed to watch live programmes from broadcasters other than the BBC when licence fee revenue funds the BBC.
The petition states: "Abolish the mandatory TV licence fee and revoke the BBC's Royal Charter." It calls for legislation to transition the BBC into a private corporation similar to its commercial subsidiary BBC Studios.
Licence fee increase
The cost of a standard colour TV licence increased by £5.50 from £174.50 to £180 on April 1, 2026, in line with inflation under the existing licence fee settlement. The UK Government said at the time that the increase was intended to help provide the BBC with a stable financial footing while it considers longer-term funding arrangements.
A TV licence is required to watch or record live television programmes on any channel or live TV service, and to use BBC iPlayer. However, households generally do not need a licence to watch on-demand programmes on other streaming services if they do not watch live television or use BBC iPlayer.
Charter renewal process
The BBC's current Royal Charter came into force on January 1, 2017, and is due to expire on December 31, 2027. The Charter provides the constitutional basis for the BBC, covering governance, regulation, and funding. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport launched its review of the Charter in December 2025.
Among the options being considered are reforms to the licence fee, changes to existing concessions, and ways for the BBC to generate more commercial revenue. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said when the review was launched that the BBC needed to be "funded in a way that is sustainable and fair for audiences". The UK Government has said a draft of the new Royal Charter will be published and debated in Parliament before the existing Charter expires, with the renewed Charter taking effect from 2028.
