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The latest BBC annual report showed that TV licences dropped by more than half a million in the 2025/26 financial year, but the corporation saw a pick up in sales during their World Cup coverage

The BBC said TV licence sales performed “very strongly” during the World Cup, after the broadcaster put a QR code for people to buy the licence during football matches. The latest BBC annual report showed that TV licences dropped by more than half a million in the 2025/26 financial year. Income from the fees has dropped by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade.

To combat the fall in profits, the BBC has made efforts to decrease the wages of some of its biggest stars. The licence fee also increased on April 1 and now costs £180 per year for a colour television.

Praising a rise in sign-ups after the World Cup final, a TV licensing spokesperson said: “The summer campaign, including use of the QR code is ongoing, but initial signs suggest TV Licence sales have performed very strongly during the World Cup.

“Major live sporting events typically drive an increase in sales activity. We will continue to do all we can to ensure people are properly licensed.

“Audience behaviour and content consumption continue to change and it’s essential we agree a modernised funding model in Charter negotiations, so the BBC can continue to deliver for audiences in the future.” While 94% of adults use BBC services each month, fewer than 80% of households contribute financially to the licence fee. BBC chairman Samir Shah previously said ahead of the release of the annual report that the corporation’s funding model meant it “cannot maintain its public service mission”. The annual report, published on July 14, said the BBC’s financial outlook “deteriorated” in the second half of 2025.

Fans tuned into the BBC's coverage of Spain V Argentina on Sunday night watched as a big-budget four minute long advert for licence fees aired at halftime.

Starring comedian Romesh Ranganathan the advert featured some iconic sets and some of the BBC's biggest stars.

Ruth Jones, Alan Car and Claudia Winkleman all took part, before Louis Theroux appeared at the end threatening to cut the BBC off forever.

“None of this has to exist if we don’t want it to!” he warned.

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