The BBC recently said that a controversial campaign during the world cup saw TV licence sales performing ‘very strongly’ during the World Cup, after the broadcaster put a QR code for people to buy the licence during football matches. It comes after it was revealed that the BBC’s licence fee income has dropped by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade.
However the Corporation has confirmed that not everyone has to pay full price for the licence – and there are a number of concessions available.
They will still need to pay for the licence until the end of the month before their 75th birthday.
People can get a 50% reduction on their licence if they’re registered blind or live with someone who is. The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, they can make a new application to transfer it into the new name. They’ll need to provide your existing TV licence number when you apply.
A blind concession TV Licence costs £90 for colour and £30.25 for a black and white TV Licence. They will need to provide a document to confirm that you’re certified as blind. This could inlude CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment), BD8 Certificate, and a certificate or document issued by a Local Authority that shows you are registered as blind. More details here.
Alternatively, TV Licensing requires you to provide either a Health and Social Services documentation or letter from Optometrist for residents of Northern Ireland only.
A person who lives in residential care or sheltered accommodation can get a TV Licence for £7.50. They must be either retired and over 60 or disabled. A housing manager can check if the person can get it and can apply for the person.
Speaking about the summer BBC world cup campaign, a TV licensing spokesperson said: “The summer campaign, including use of the QR code is ongoing, but initial signs suggest TV Licence sales have performed very strongly during the World Cup.
“Major live sporting events typically drive an increase in sales activity. We will continue to do all we can to ensure people are properly licensed.
“Audience behaviour and content consumption continue to change and it’s essential we agree a modernised funding model in Charter negotiations, so the BBC can continue to deliver for audiences in the future.”
While 94% of adults use BBC services each month, fewer than 80% of households contribute financially to the licence fee.
BBC chairman Samir Shah previously said ahead of the release of the annual report that the corporation’s funding model meant it “cannot maintain its public service mission”.
The annual report, published on July 14, said the BBC’s financial outlook “deteriorated” in the second half of 2025.