With just a few weeks to go until the Royal Wedding, the BBC has announced it will lift the licence fee temporarily so local communities can celebrate the special day.
This will allow communities to host street parties and gather together to watch the couple tie the knot without having to worry about buying a TV licence.
The Head of Revenue Management for the BBC, Pipa Doubtfire, said: “I’m delighted to announce that we have decided to offer a one-off dispensation for the Royal Wedding on May 19.
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“This will allow the public to enjoy live coverage of the occasion at special events like street parties, where TV is not usually watched, without needing to buy a licence.
“By law, if live television or iPlayer is viewed on any premises, those premises must be covered by a valid TV Licence.
"However, in exceptional circumstances, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary viewing of television, so long as the viewing is for the sole purpose of screening an event which is judged by the BBC to be of national importance.”
She added: “The BBC considers the royal wedding is such an event.”
And what an important day it is. The couple will wed at St. George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday May 19 and the action will be broadcast live on TV.
This isn’t the first time the BBC have absolved the licence fee for a special occasion. In 2011, it also lifted the need for a licence for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding day.
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(Images: Getty)
MORE: ITV ANNOUNCES BROADCAST PLANS FOR PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE’S ROYAL WEDDING
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