“Many people may also have to pay for a new aerial. This could prove a particular problem for the elderly and those on low incomes. Support for vulnerable households would be funded by the BBC through the licence fee, said Ms Jowell.”

So the rest of us get to put our hands in our pockets *again*, for certain ’segments’ of the community? Excellent.

If you view TV as a necessity, fair enough. Personally, I think it’s a luxury. And demographics show that the benefit receiving ’segments’ often smoke, drink and lead otherwise more unhealthy lifestyles than many of the rest of us. How many packets of cigarettes or evenings in pubs does one have to give up to afford a £150 FreeSat package? Not many.