The BBC has agreed to pay £169 million for the delivery of TV Licensing threatograms over the next five years.
The eye-watering figure, which represents one million TV licences, is £11 million more than the BBC originally earmarked for the deal back in August 2023.
Threatograms are the main enforcement strategy used by TV Licensing. The letters, which have earned the threatogram nickname from their sinister and deceitful tone, are distributed to every property where there is no record of a TV licence.
They are riddled with lies and innuendo, in an effort to scare the recipient into paying for a TV licence irrespective of their legal need to do so.
The BBC gives final approval to the wording of each letter and is well aware of the stress and anxiety they cause.
Joanna Marchong, from the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Struggling households will be furious with this blatant waste of money by the Beeb.
"Auntie has opted for a contract with an exorbitant price tag, in an attempt to prop up the out-dated licence fee
"By scrapping the hated tv tax and replacing it with a subscription service there would be no need for these threatening letters."
A TV Licensing spokesperson said: "While we continue to encourage customers to move to paperless communication and e-licences, letters remain a highly cost-effective way of reminding people they may need a TV Licence, and these costs are driven by postage charges.
"The contract amount covers five years and will ensure best value to efficiently collect the licence fee."
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