The BBC has announced a one-time exemption of its licence fee during the Coronation weekend of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The publicly-funded broadcaster will temporarily suspend its licence fee for Coronation weekend from May 6 to May 8. The dispensation will make it possible for venues like town halls, cinemas, and churches to stream the Coronation ceremony and the Coronation concert without needing to purchase a TV licence. This will also apply to any outdoor venues with the facilities to stream.
BBC noted the dispensation is granted in exceptional circumstances due to the Coronation being of ‘national importance. This comes a little less than a year since the BBC granted a similar dispensation in June 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The television licence costs £159 a year for a colour TV, and allows people to tune into the BBC.
While the news is welcomed by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, the Alliance still maintains its stance the licence fee should be scrapped altogether.
Digital campaign manager Joe Ventre told Express.co.UK: “Brits will be glad that they can enjoy coverage of the coronation without enforcement agents breathing down their necks.
“For far too long, Auntie has been allowed to leverage the licence fee on households who simply dare to own a telly. It’s time for the BBC to catch up with the times and axe the archaic TV tax once and for all.”
The Coronation weekend, which is also a bank holiday weekend will kick off on 6 May with the sacred Coronation service held at Westminster Abbey. Their Majesties will be crowned and appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. His Majesty is set to wear the St Edward’s Crown crafted in 1661 for King Charles II. Her Majesty will opt for Queen Mary’s Crown without the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
The festivities will continue with a concert Saturday night at Windsor Castle.
