A British parliamentary committee is examining a BBC request to increase annual television viewing license fees that could drive the cost from $220 to $350.

ADVERTISEMENT

Appearing before the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, BBC Director General Mark Thompson and Chairman Michael Grade said the extra money was needed because of the "very ambitious targets" set by the government and the plans to switch to digital broadcasts by 2012.

The corporation's request is 2.3 percent above British forecast inflation rates.

At current predictions, The Telegraph said the increase would put the license fee up to just more than $300 by 2013, but if the cost of subsidizing the switch to digital were included, it would rise to more than $350.

The BBC has an annual income of just under $5.25 billion from more than 24 million license payers. With the increases, the income would approach $8.75 billion.