THE BBC plans to send leaflets telling BBC licence fee ‘dodgers’ they should be paying like they do for Netflix and Amazon.
Insiders say Beeb bosses are set to urge offenders: “Do the right thing — pay up.”
It is hoped the initiative — to be targeted at homes thought to be evading the £157.50 annual levy — will raise more than £1million. Sources said yesterday the BBC was hoping its “softer line” would prick non-payers’ consciences (BBC presuming everyone needs to pay them).
But Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who has led a campaign to decriminalise non-payment, criticised the move.
He said: “It is good that they will be nudging people rather than threatening them. But it is a flawed argument by the BBC because if you have Netflix you’re happy to pay for it rather than being forced to.”
The Beeb has consulted London advertising agencies about the plans. A source said: “It’s a real break from the past, and adverts showing detector vans and threats about not paying.
“The aim now is to get people to do the right thing, morally, and to adopt a softer line. The leaflets or emails will tell people if they are happy to pay for Netflix or Amazon, then they should also be paying for the BBC.”
Tens of thousands of people are prosecuted each year for not paying the fee, with fines of £1,000 regularly dished out.
A BBC TV Licensing spokeswoman (PR) said: ““There are no plans for targeted leaflets to go to households urging them to “Do the right thing” from next month.
“On behalf of the majority who do pay, BBC TV Licensing writes to unlicensed addresses as we have a duty to enforce the law.
“We do everything we can to help customers including providing a wide range of ways to pay and last year we worked with over 350 money advice and community organisations to help support customers stay correctly licensed.”