A proposal to end the criminal offence of failing to buy a TV licence is being considered for inclusion in a bill before Parliament.
It comes after Tory MP Andrew Bridgen's suggestion to make non-payment a civil matter gained the support of 150 MPs.
Ministers had said they wanted to defer a decision until BBC charter renewal talks in 2016 - but they could seek to gain the power to change the law now.
The BBC has said it fears a change may lead to more people failing to pay.
About 155,000 people were convicted of non-payment of the TV licence in 2012 and 48 went to prison for not paying subsequent fines. One-in-10 cases before magistrates are said to relate to not paying the licence fee.
Mr Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, has said he is concerned at the number of people who are brought into the criminal justice system "for such a minor offence".
If ministers agree to include his proposal in an amendment to the Deregulation Bill, a vote could take place as early as 25 March.
The licence fee comes up for renewal in 2016, while the BBC's Royal Charter, which sets out the corporation's role, functions and structure, and is due for renewal the following year.
'Timing crucial'BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said there had been a reluctance to implement the change straight away because it would waste a significant negotiating tool when ministers come to discuss the renewal of the BBC's Charter.
End Quote BBC spokespersonLegislation is a matter for the government. However, changing the law could lead to higher evasion"
But our correspondent added that, with the proposals gaining support, a compromise with MPs was in the offing. Ministers could be given the power now to make non-payment a civil offence, retaining the option to implement the change during discussions with the corporation.
The BBC has been lobbying MPs in the past few days, telling them the corporation is "very concerned" about the idea.
A letter from the head of the BBC's corporate affairs department, Andrew Scadding, to one Tory MP, says the proposal could damage services without delivering any demonstrable benefit to those who struggle to pay.
Last week, the the corporation's strategy director, James Purnell, suggested it would increase non-payment and cost the BBC £200m.
The sum is the equivalent of BBC Four, CBBC and CBeebies, which would have to be taken off air, Mr Purnell said at an event to relaunch the iPlayer service.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: "Legislation is a matter for the government. However, changing the law could lead to higher evasion. Just a 1% increase in evasion would lead to the loss of around £35m, the equivalent of around 10 BBC local radio stations."
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "The government thinks this is an interesting idea but timing is crucial and decriminalisation of the licence fee should be on the table during charter review, not separate to the process."
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