TV Licensing says community buildings can show the King's coronation and Windsor Castle concert for free
Published: 14:29, 02 March 2023
Updated: 14:31, 02 March 2023
Churches, town halls, cinemas and libraries are among the public buildings being given special dispensation to show the King's coronation without a TV Licence.
The BBC has announced it will suspend the licence fee for Charles' coronation weekend allowing venues open to the public to screen live coverage on May 6 and 7 without paying.
The move will allow people to watch the coronation service itself on Saturday and events that follow from London, which are expected to include a balcony appearance from some members of the royal family, as well as the Coronation Concert from Windsor Castle on the Sunday.
TV Licensing made a similar offer in September last year to enable people and venues without an existing licence to show and watch the Queen's funeral from Westminster abbey free of charge while there were also exceptions during last year's Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
It costs £159 annually for a colour TV licence and £53.50 for a black and white one.
Over 75s used to be entitled to a free TV Licence but this offer was stopped by the BBC in 2020 with only those on pension credits now eligible for the deal.
The BBC said the dispensation - like that given to the screening of Queen Elizabeth's funeral - is only granted in 'exceptional circumstances' with the event needing to be of 'national importance'. Consideration, it added, is taken on a case-by-case basis but that all screenings must be held in a community setting to comply.
This means that buildings including concert halls and community centres could put on events over the coronation weekend, where people can come and watch together, bringing with them their own food and drink.
The dispensation also applies to any outdoor venues which have the facilities to screen the coverage.
King Charles III’s coronation is the first to be staged in Britain for 70 years and it will see the royal anointed and crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of more than 2,000 guests.
