A new crackdown on TV licence fee avoiders is being planned, according to reports 🚨

The BBC TV licence fee went up again in 2025.
It is required to watch live tele or use iPlayer.
But the Beeb is plotting a ‘new method’ to crackdown on avoiders.

A fresh winter storm has brought yet more freezing weather and the perfect excuse to stay indoors, cosying up with the TV on. Between The Traitors, The Masked Singer, and Corriedale it has been quite the start to the year.

However, if you are tuning in to the best of British tele, without paying the licence fee, a new crackdown could be on the way. Being caught dodging the annual payment runs the risk of landing a big fine.

But what is the Beeb planning? Here’s all you need to know:

BBC plots ‘new method’ to crackdown on licence fee dodgers

placeholder image — BBC plots ‘new method’ to crackdown on licence fee dodgers | Getty Images

Under the current royal charter, the Beeb’s current funding arrangement is secured through to December 31, 2027. However, there has been much discussion about what comes next.

Ideas such as introducing the licence fee for using streaming services like Netflix have been floated. But with more than a year to go, expect the plans to be ironed out in the coming months.

Before the future of the licence fee is decided, the Beeb is launching a ‘new method’ to crackdown on those who try to get around paying it, according to reports.

The Telegraph is reporting that the broadcaster is planning to use iPlayer to catch potential avoiders. Up to 40 million accounts on the platform will be linked to the status of their TV licence at their address.

Praising the plans, former director of BBC television, Danny Cohen, said: “It makes a lot of sense to use digital data to track who is using the BBC and who should be paying the licence fee.”

David Elstein, a former BBC producer, however was more doubtful about the plans. He explained: “This is unlikely to make any significant difference – people are still not required to allow inspectors in.”

On the topic of crackdowns, find out where the most recent ‘dodgy’ Firestick crackdown took place. See the areas that were targeted.