What is a TV licence?
A TV Licence in the UK is a legal requirement for anyone who wants to:
- Watch live TV broadcasts on any channel, regardless of the platform (traditional TV with an aerial, satellite dish, or online streaming services like ITVX, Sky Go, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video).
- Watch BBC iPlayer on any device (computer, phone, tablet, etc.).
You do not need a TV Licence if you only watch:
- On-demand content (shows or movies that you choose to watch whenever you want) on any platform except BBC iPlayer.
- Live streams that are not considered “TV channels” (e.g., watching a live stream of a video game tournament on Twitch).
Here’s a breakdown of the cost:
- The annual cost of a standard colour TV Licence is currently £159 (as of April 1, 2024), but it is set to rise to £169.50 from April 1, 2025.
- You can pay for a TV Licence in instalments or in full.
Here are some resources for further information:
Important Note:
- TV Licensing authorities can conduct checks to see if you have a valid licence and may prosecute those who watch TV without one.