Public Opinion on the BBC Licence Fee: Familiar, Divisive and Under Pressure

#### A Well-Known Institution Facing Mixed Views

The BBC licence fee remains one of the most recognisable elements of British public broadcasting. According to our latest polling data (14 July 2025), 84% of the UK public say they are either very or somewhat familiar with the BBC licence fee,  including 89% of Labour voters and 88% of Conservative voters. However, while public awareness is high, attitudes toward its fairness and future are far more divided.

#### Fair or Outdated? Attitudes Toward the Licence Fee

Only 15% of respondents said they strongly agree that the TV licence is a fair way to fund the BBC and another 22% said they somewhat agree. Taken together, just over a third of the public (37%) support the licence in its current form. By contrast, 42% say they somewhat or strongly disagree with the idea that it’s a fair system, with 29% strongly opposed.

Support for the licence is highest among Labour voters (48% agree it is fair), Liberal Democrat voters (51%). Interestingly, those younger demographics who are less likely to watch TV are the most supportive, with those aged 25–34 expressing the most support (48%). But older demographics are notably less supportive. Only 25% of 55–64-year-olds agree the fee is fair, compared to 54% who disagree.

#### Majority Support Scrapping the Fee

When asked directly whether the licence fee should be scrapped, 65% of respondents said yes including a striking 44% who strongly agreed. Support for abolition is particularly high among voters for Reform UK (72%), the Conservatives (65%) and those aged 55–64 (72%). Even among Labour voters, 69% supported scrapping the fee versus just 15% who opposed.

#### What Should Replace the License Fee?

Among those who would scrap the licence fee, opinions are split on how to replace it. The most popular options are:

• Advertising-based funding: 38%
• Subscription model: 28%
• Direct government funding: 17%
• Only 4% of respondents favour voluntary donations and just 2% chose “other”.

Conservative (37%), Reform UK (42%), Green (45%) and Labour (38%) voters are most likely to support advertising, while Liberal Democrat supporters are equally split between Advertising and a Subscription model (32% for both). Younger age groups also favour subscriptions, while older voters are more divided between advertising and public funding.

#### The Value of Public Broadcasting

Despite scepticism around the licence fee itself, a slim majority of the public still believes in the principle of publicly funded broadcasting. Half (50%) say it’s either very or somewhat important for the UK to have a publicly funded broadcaster like the BBC. Support is strongest among the mainstream parties Liberal Democrat (57%), Labour (65%) and Conservatives (59%).

That said, 40% say it’s either not very important (21%) or not at all important (19%),  including 61% of Reform voters and 46% of Green voters. The issue, in short, has become highly polarised.

Download the data tables for this poll.