British TV viewers are likely to be required to pay the BBC for permission to watch TV for at least another ten years, according to Terry Burns, a government adviser on television. Mr. Burns (who uses the feudal title of “Lord”) has stated that there is widespread support for the licence system but that it will have to be reviewed by 2012 as TV access technology develops. He admitted that the licence system “isn’t perfect”.
In Britain people are not allowed to watch any TV, including satellite and cable TV, unless they buy a licence. The £2.7bn income from the fees goes to the BBC state media giant. Reading newspapers, books and magazines is permitted without a licence.