Romesh Ranganathan Revives BBC Licence Fee Advert from 1985
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has rebooted John Cleese’s classic 1985 BBC licence fee advert, featuring a host of celebrities to highlight the value of the fee.
By The Guardian
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has revived John Cleese’s iconic 1985 BBC licence fee advertisement, posing the question, “What has the BBC ever done for me?” in a pub filled with well-known personalities. The new advert mirrors the original, where Cleese expressed his frustration over the £58 cost of a TV licence, only to be countered by patrons listing the BBC's contributions.
Ranganathan's version features a variety of high-profile figures, including Claudia Winkleman and David Jason, reminiscent of the original cast that included David Attenborough and Terry Wogan. This big-budget campaign aims to encourage viewers to obtain a TV licence, following reports that over half a million people have stopped paying.
The number of households opting out of the licence fee has increased significantly, with an additional 500,000 households choosing not to pay compared to previous trends. Between 2024 and the present, 202,000 fewer people purchased a licence, prompting the BBC to make a renewed case for the value of the fee.
The new advertisement, directed by Dougal Wilson, features Ranganathan as a disgruntled licence fee payer in the Queen Vic pub from EastEnders. He embarks on a musical journey showcasing the BBC’s shows and services, featuring around 90 famous faces, including Chris Martin and Cate Blanchett.
The BBC's director general, Matt Brittin, has described the current situation as a “moment of real jeopardy” due to declining licence fee payments and competition from platforms like YouTube and TikTok. The advert illustrates the potential loss of BBC programming, with Louis Theroux appearing to remind viewers that “none of this has to exist” if the public chooses not to support it.
The film premiered during the World Cup final and was launched on social media, receiving mixed reactions. While some viewers responded positively, others critiqued the selection of BBC offerings as “notably middlebrow.”
Ranganathan defended the new advert, expressing his strong belief in the BBC's importance despite acknowledging its flaws. He shared that growing up, the BBC’s programme Goodness Gracious Me inspired him to pursue a career in comedy, reinforcing the corporation's impact on his life.
The advert highlights Ranganathan's contributions to the BBC, with references to his roles on The Weakest Link and his Radio 2 show, as well as his podcast on Sounds.