This applies whether you receive Freesat, Freeview or a pay-TV service in your home.
Since 2016, you also need a TV licence to watch or download on-demand or catch-up programmes on BBC iPlayer.
You don’t need to buy a TV licence if you purely watch other catch-up or on-demand services, or only use your TV to play games, watch DVDs, Blu-rays or video cassettes.
If you’re sure that you don’t need a TV licence, make sure you inform TV Licensing via the online declaration form
or call 0300 790 6096.
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In this context, live TV doesn’t just mean watching sport or other programmes that are broadcast in real time. It applies to all content at the time it’s broadcast on a TV channel. It also includes all +1 channels, such as ITV+1 and Channel 4+1.
The 'live' rule also applies to any programmes that are live-streamed on video-on-demand platforms at the same time as they are shown on TV. So, if you’re streaming Coronation Street on ITVX while it’s also being shown live on ITV, you need a TV licence.
Some streaming services also now require a TV licence. Amazon Prime Video shows live sport events and if you watch them then you need a licence.
Yes. Previously, you only needed a TV licence to watch live programmes on BBC iPlayer – so at the same time as they were showing on broadcast TV. However, since 1 September 2016 you've needed one for any on-demand iPlayer viewing.
This rule applies to all devices, including smart TVs, laptops and desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, set-top boxes (such as Sky, Virgin Media and YouView) and media-streaming devices (Apple TV or Chromecast, for example).
You don't currently need a TV licence to watch the catch-up or on-demand services of other broadcast channels, such as ITVX, All 4 or Demand 5 unless you're using them to watch live broadcasts.
You can find out more about the rules that apply to watching BBC iPlayer on the TV Licensing website
If you watch live TV via an online service, such as live sport on Amazon Prime Video or ITV channels on ITVX, you'll need a TV licence.
The TV licence website states: 'You don’t need a TV Licence if you only ever watch on-demand programmes on any TV service apart from BBC iPlayer'. So you wouldn't need a licence if you only use these apps for on demand programmes and not live broadcasts.
If you’re exclusively streaming on-demand movies or TV shows on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix or YouTube (or any other online video service) you don't currently need a licence. The same applies to other streaming services.
Tempted to expand your TV horizons with a streaming service, but torn between Netflix and Disney+? Read our guide on what the main TV streamin g services have to offer.
There's one TV licence that will apply to most people in the UK, but there are cheaper ones for people in different circumstances.
You only need one licence per household, no matter how many TVs or other devices you watch TV on.
The fee is reviewed every year, with any price changes taking place on 1 April.
If you can’t pay for your annual TV licence in one lump sum, there are various options available to spread the cost.
If you want to stream live programmes (at the same time as they're shown on TV), then the licence you buy for your property also covers you for watching TV outside of your home on 'any device powered solely by its own internal batteries'. This includes live streaming on smartphones, tablets and laptops.
You can also record live programmes on these devices and watch them outside of your home.
If you fall under one of the following categories, you may qualify for a free or discounted TV licence.
Blind or visually impaired people You may be eligible for a 50% reduction in your TV licence fee if you’re certified as blind (severely sight impaired).
Care home residents Residents may qualify for a discounted TV licence fee of £7.50. Residents, staff and residents’ families all need a separate licence for their own living area.
Over 75 AND in receipt of pension credit Until July 2020, all over-75s were eligible for a free TV licence. This is no longer the case. However, you can still get a free TV licence if you, as the licence holder, are 75 years or older and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive pension credit. To find out more about the changes to the rules and apply for a free licence, visit the TV licensing website
Students You still need a TV licence if you’re a student, as it’s unlikely that the licence held by your hall of residence, or your parents, will cover you.
Tenants and lodgers If you live in self-contained accommodation, such as a flat, then you need your own TV licence. If you rent a room as a lodger, the TV licence for the whole house should cover you, unless you have exclusive access to a toilet or bathroom – in that case you could be classified as living in separate accommodation requiring its own licence.
When you move house you can take your TV licence with you. Just fill out the change of address form
, or call 0300 790 6096.
If you move in with someone who already has a licence, you can cancel your own licence and potentially get a partial refund.
If you want to cancel your TV licence and you've paid in full for a year, you could be entitled to a refund. You need to have at least one month left on your licence and have a good reason for cancelling. These include:
If you meet the criteria, you can complete a short form on the TV Licensing website
to request your partial refund.
Whether you agree with the TV licence or not, if you’re found to be watching or recording live TV without a valid licence, you’re guilty of a criminal offence that is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000 plus court costs.
TV Licensing claims that it uses a number of methods to detect if you’re covered, including enforcement officers that carry out checks on properties, detector vans and a national database.
If you feel you've been wrongly fined or have any complaints, you can seek a resolution through the BBC. Any escalations would then be passed on to ombudsman services.
According to the TV licensing website, 91% of UK adults use BBC services. That doesn't mean nine out of 10 adults in the UK turn on BBC One every week, as the licence fee pays for a range of services, including:
