What the BBC licence fee shake-up could mean for Bristol homes

The BBC's new proposal could mean lower payments for thousands of Bristol households in lower council tax bands.

Transcript

00:00In the West Country, how much you pay for the BBC might soon depend on the home you live in.

00:07The broadcaster wants to replace the flat £174.50 licence fee with a means-tested model where

00:14charges are linked to council tax bans. In Bristol, over 60% of homes are in bands A to C,

00:20while only a small minority are in band E or above. Band E council tax averages around £2,000 a year

00:27in the city. The BBC says almost 90% of people in the South West use its services,

00:32including BBC Points West and BBC Radio Bristol. Local campaigns have also raised concerns about

00:39BBC cuts in the region, particularly to radio content. Supporters of the new model say it

00:45could make funding more equitable, especially for younger or lower-income households.

00:50The proposal is still in development, with no final decision yet, but a public consultation

00:55would be expected before any changes are made.