The TV licence has been around since the late 1940s, introduced by the BBC to help fund the creation of its TV programmes.
Today, it funds the broad remit of the BBC from radio and TV to iPlayer, news and other online services. But there are also many more channels and choices from competitors than there were in the 1940s.
Streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus have made dramatically increased the choice of TV shows and movies with their subscription model. And some households might find they don’t watch live TV anymore, choosing instead to stream on-demand content instead.
Check out our best streaming services guide if you want to enjoy all the latest TV shows, movies and sports for cheap.
All you need to do this is a fast broadband connection. And if you need help finding one, take a look at our best broadband deals.
So, do you need to pay for a TV licence? We tell you what you need to know.
TV Licence rules
If you’re watching live TV or recording something from live TV, you need to have a TV licence.
This doesn’t just apply when watching the BBC. It includes watching or recording live TV on other channels like ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and +1 channels.
Watching on-demand or on catch-up means you don’t require a TV licence to watch, with the exception of the BBC iPlayer.
So if you were catching up on last week’s Emmerdale on ITV Hub, you don’t need a TV licence to watch it. But if you were catching up on last week’s EastEnders on BBC iPlayer, you do.
The TV licence covers consuming BBC on live TV and on-demand with BBC iPlayer, which means if you decide to download a series on catch-up, you still need a TV licence. It’s also important to note that it doesn’t matter what you’re watching on, whether it’s on a TV, laptop, tablet or phone. The same rules apply.
Be wary when watching on-demand with apps like ITV hub or All 4, because these apps stream live TV, too. If you want to watch live, you need a TV licence.
Importantly, you only need one TV licence per household.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?
No, you don’t need a TV licence to watch Netflix as it is a streaming-only service. You’re not downloading anything on your TV to watch later or watching live TV so it isn’t illegal. But this is just the case for Netflix and a select few streaming platforms.
Read ahead to find out more about if you need a TV licence to watch other streaming services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch popular streaming services?
If you are using a satellite or cable service to watch TV as it’s being broadcast, then you need a TV licence. But if you’re only using catch-up services or streaming, you don’t need a TV licence.
Find out whether you need a TV licence for the most popular streaming services:
| Streaming service | Do you need a TV licence to watch it? |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime | Yes, if you watch its live services on streaming services . |
| Apple TV Plus | Yes, if you watch programmes live or record them. |
| BBC iPlayer | You need a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer. The only exception is if you watch S4C TV on demand. |
| Channel 4 | Yes, if you use it to watch live content across all Channel 4' s channels including Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4. |
| Disney Plus | No, you don't need a TV licence. |
| ITVX | Yes, if you live stream a TV show, news or sports. |
| MUBI | No, you don't need a TV licence. |
| My5 | Yes, if you are watching live TV. |
| Netflix | No, you don't need a TV licence. |
| NOW | Yes, if you watch any of the live channels on any device. You will also need a TV licence if you NOW to watch BBC iPlayer live programmes, on demand or catch up. |
| Paramount Plus | Yes, if you watch or record shows as they are being shown. |
| Sky Stream | Yes, if you watch live on streaming services. |
| YouTube | Yes, if you watch live on streaming services on any device. |
How much does a TV Licence cost?
A TV licence costs:
- £159 a year if you pay annually
- £159 if you pay monthly in £13.25 instalments
- £164 in total if you pay every 3 months (quarterly) in £41 instalments
So the cheapest way to go about it is if you pay annually or monthly
TV Licencing told The Money Edit that the most common misconceptions about the TV Licence includes being unaware of the support available to customers.
You might be able to get a TV Licence at a discounted rate if you meet the TV Licencing requirements.
Anyone over the age of 75 years who is receiving pension credit is exempt from paying a TV licence fee.
75 years+ pensioners who live in a care home or sheltered accommodation could also be exempt from paying the fee.
People who are blind or whose eyesight is severely impaired can apply for a 50% discount off the full price TV licence fee, totalling to a payable £79.50 (if paid yearly or monthly) or £82 (if paid quarterly).
If you own a black and white TV set, you will also get a discount and pay a total of £53.50 per year.
How do I pay for a TV Licence?
You can pay for a TV licence by debit card, credit card, direct debit, by cheque, by post, by BACS or online.
Also at no extra cost, you can use a TV Licencing payment card, which allows you to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
If you’re purchasing a TV licence for the first time and choose to pay monthly, you will only be allowed to spread costs across six months, so you will be paying £26.50 per month instead to cover the total cost.
For the following years, you can spread costs as normal, over 12 months if you choose.
Can I watch TV without a TV Licence?
If you’re watching TV without a TV licence but should have one, you could be fined up to £1,000. Not paying the fine on time could lead to a sentence and this could lead to a criminal record, which will show on advanced criminal checks but not basic ones.
TV Licensing’s 2021/22 Annual Report shows 97,953 people were caught watching without a TV licence when they should have had one.
So the regulator has ramped up its checks by giving households unexpected visits. Between 2021 to the end of March 2022, TV Licensing visited over one million households.
If you are moving house, you will get a letter and emails to prompt you to update your address. If you do not do so, TV Licencing could turn up at your doorstep unannounced.
How do I cancel my TV Licence?
There’s no point in paying for something you don’t need, especially in the current cost of living crisis. So if you have a TV licence and don’t need one, you can cancel it by filling out a ‘no licence needed’ declaration.
After filling out the form you will not receive any letters from TV Licencing for up to two years.
And don’t let this fool you, as TV Licencing can still turn up to your door to check you are not lying.
TV Licencing has said the Licence Fee is the agreed method of BBC funding until at least 2027, is frozen until 2024, and it continues to ensure the BBC is an independent, universal broadcaster, which invests in UK creativity and talent.
