Do I need a TV Licence?
Only if you watch live TV on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer — otherwise you don't need one. The basis is section 363 of the Communications Act 2003. You need a licence to watch or record live TV as it's broadcast on any channel or service (TV, online, satellite, cable), and to use BBC iPlayer for any content, live or on-demand. It applies on any device — TV, laptop, tablet, phone or games console. You don't need a licence to watch on-demand or streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube or catch-up on ITVX/Channel 4, as long as you never watch live TV or BBC iPlayer. The standard fee is £174.50, rising to £180.00 from 1 April 2026. In short: live TV or iPlayer means yes; pure streaming means no.
📋 The rules
- Licence needed to watch/record live TV on any channel
- Licence needed for BBC iPlayer (any content)
- Applies on any device — TV, laptop, phone, console
- No licence for on-demand only (Netflix, YouTube, catch-up)
- Fee £174.50, rising to £180 from April 2026
🔓 Exceptions
- Over-75s on Pension Credit: a free licence
- Blind/severely sight-impaired: 50% concession (£90 from April 2026)
- Care-home residents may get a reduced £7.50 ARC licence
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a valid licence is a criminal offence, with a fine of up to £1,000 plus possible legal costs and a victim surcharge. The licence itself costs £174.50 (from April 2025), rising to £180.00 from 1 April 2026; a black-and-white licence is £60.50. Beware a myth: "if I only stream Netflix or YouTube I still need a TV Licence" is false — you only need one for live TV (any channel) or BBC iPlayer; pure on-demand streaming needs no licence. To get it right: if you never watch live broadcasts or use iPlayer, you can legally go licence-free — and you can tell TV Licensing you don't need one.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a TV Licence for Netflix?
No, not for Netflix alone. You only need a TV Licence if you watch or record live TV as it's broadcast on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer. Watching on-demand services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime or YouTube, without ever watching live TV or iPlayer, does not require a licence.
When do I need a TV Licence?
You need a licence to watch or record any live TV — that is, programmes at the same time as they're broadcast — on any channel or service, including online and satellite. You also need one to use BBC iPlayer for any content. This applies on any device, including a phone, laptop, tablet or games console.
How much is the TV Licence in 2026?
The standard colour TV Licence costs £174.50, set in April 2025, and rises to £180.00 from 1 April 2026. A black-and-white licence is much cheaper at £60.50. People who are blind or severely sight-impaired get a 50% concession, and over-75s who receive Pension Credit can get a free licence.
Is watching without a licence a crime?
Yes. Watching or recording live TV, or using BBC iPlayer, without a valid TV Licence is a criminal offence. It can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, plus legal costs and a victim surcharge. If you genuinely don't watch live TV or iPlayer, you can declare that you don't need a licence.
Who can get a free or reduced licence?
Over-75s who receive Pension Credit qualify for a free TV Licence, funded by the BBC. People who are blind or severely sight-impaired get a 50% concession. Residents in certain care homes may qualify for a reduced Accommodation for Residential Care licence of just £7.50. You usually have to apply for these.
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