TV licences fall by staggering 50,000 in Scotland

• Rise of streaming services and grudge over 2014 Indyref coverage blamed for drop 

Thousands more Scots turned their backs on the BBC last year as the number of TV licence fee payers fell to the lowest in more than a decade.

The number of licences dropped by almost 50,000 in a year to around 1,909,000 as of last month.

It had been just over two million for many years, but began to fall around 2014 and is now down 15 per cent since then.

Experts said the trend could reflect moves towards streaming services, such as Netflix, the cost of living crisis – and lingering resentment by SNP ­supporters over the perceived role of the BBC in the 2014 referendum.

John Cook, professor in media at ­Glasgow Caledonian University, said: ‘The decline in TV licences may sadly be due to the continuing effects of the cost of living crisis, with some viewers possibly being forced to ration what they pay for in terms of their entertainment.

‘In the age of streaming, they may instead be opting to invest in Netflix or Disney+ over the BBC, or deciding they can’t afford to pay for any media at all. In addition to this, in Scotland, there may also be the residual effect of the 2014 Indyref and continuing resentment against the BBC among some nationalist supporters.’

The colour TV licence costs £169.50 but it’s claimed the ­concept of a mandatory fee is in terminal decline as habits change and more refuse to pay.

Across the UK as a whole, there were 24.3 million licences in 2023 – down over half a million on the year before.

The figures for Scotland, obtained by this newspaper, show the numbers dropped below two million in 2022 and continue to fall.

UK Government Ministers have said they intended to look at how the BBC is funded.

A licence is not required if a viewer only watches non-BBC streaming services which do not show live TV, such as Netflix, or if the TV is used to view home media such as DVDs.

The licence fee model is guaranteed until 2027 but reform is widely anticipated. The system could be replaced by a Netflix-style subscription ‘top-up’ for entertainment and sport.

It is not a criminal offence to own a set without a licence, but a valid licence is needed to watch live programmes or to use the iPlayer streaming service. Penalties include a fine of up to £1,000. Alexander Stewart, Scottish Conservative deputy culture spokesman said: ‘The work of the BBC and other broadcasters continues to be greatly valued by a huge number of Scots, but these numbers will be of concern to bosses.

‘For the sake of news and cultural output across Scotland, I hope that the BBC and others can navigate their way through this period.’

Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour culture spokesman, said: ‘The BBC is a backbone of our media and creative industries. That’s why it’s so important that we ensure it’s accessible to all – now and in the future. We will work constructively with the BBC to make sure its funding model is fit for the 21st Century.’

The BBC said: ‘Across the UK, nine in ten households have a TV licence. The BBC contributes to the national life of Scotland, not just with brilliant content, but also jobs, training and opportunities. 

‘We will continue to work hard to serve all audiences in Scotland and across the UK.’