This is taken from The Guardian:

Viewers 'could set licence fee'

by Ben Dowell
Thursday March 30, 2006

BBC viewers and listeners will be given the chance to help set the level of the licence fee, culture secretary Tessa Jowell announced today.

The government is to canvass the public on how much they are willing to pay for the BBC, and this market research will contribute towards the final decision on the level of the next licence fee settlement, which comes into effect in April 2007.

"A sample of the public will be asked for their views on the licence fee and what they are willing to pay," Ms Jowell revealed at today's seminar on the government white paper organised by the Westminster Media Forum.

"People's views will have a material impact on the final judgment we make on the level of the licence fee."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that the research will take place this year, but added that it was not yet clear what the size of the sample would be or where the research will take place.

However, in her speech Ms Jowell did outline the reasons for the research.

"Looking forward, I believed the challenge for the BBC by 2016 is that we shouldn't be returning to the age old question of 'To BBC or not to BBC?' but for it to have generated the kind of deep and broad consensus around its value to the public that is enjoyed now by the NHS or state education," she said.

The BBC has asked for a licence fee rise of 2.3% a year above inflation from next yer - taking the annual cost per household from £126.50 to an estimated £180 by 2013.

The culture secretary also gave delegates at today's forum the first indication of the emerging findings of the digital television trial which the BBC is currently running on one council ward in Bolton.

The researchers have discovered that two-thirds of those who selected Freeview boxes were able to "self-install" the equipment themselves or with the help of family and friends.

"While participants needed time to adjust to their new set-top boxes, more than 80% had 'no problems', as they defined it, with their box after less than two months," Ms Jowell added.

"Once they were used to it, people were delighted with their digital TV and did not want to revert back to analogue.

"And the trial has shown that people want clear graphics, well-designed remote controls and good understandable information ... So, we should not underestimate the ability of even the people who are most vulnerable in society to adapt to new technology.

"Beyond providing mere entertainment, the TV provides a real, tangible link to the outside world. It is not a luxury, it's a necessity."