BBC to drop licence fee for one weekend so you can watch TV without paying

dailyrecord.co.uk:

TV Licensing has announced that fees will be paused for one weekend, allowing anyone to watch live telly without fear of a fine.Typically, a fee of £159 a year is required to watch live television on any channel, or to use the BBC's iPlayer streaming service on any device.However, this fee will be paused on the weekend of Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, to celebrate King Charles III's Coronation.Both the Coronation Ceremony itself on Saturday and the concert the following day will be available regardless of whether or not you have paid a licence fee.The reason for the dropping of the licence over this weekend is to allow events to be organised at venues that would not typically need a TV licence.

A statement on TV Licensing reads: "This dispensation allows events to be organised for communities in venues where TV is not usually watched to screen live programmes throughout the weekend without needing to purchase a licence. "This includes, for example, community venues such as churches, town halls, community centres, libraries and streets across Britain as well as commercial premises acting as community venues such as concert halls, performing arts venues, cinemas and shops. "It also applies to any outdoor venues which have the facilities to screen."TV Licensing asks that anyone hosting events for the Coronation to not charge people for viewings as the BBC coverage "should be free to watch".They add: "Even if your screening is taking place at a venue which normally has a commercial purpose you must not charge for tickets, and the public should be allowed to bring their own food and drink."This comes as huge crowds are expected to descend on London for the historic ceremony.