Plenty of households could be paying for a TV Licence they don’t actually need – and that could mean a big saving each year. A colour licence now costs £180 annually, while a black-and-white licence is £60.50, after the latest price rise on 1 April 2026.
TV Licensing says purchasing one “covers you to watch all TV channels, live TV on pay TV and streaming services, plus everything on BBC iPlayer. On any device.” But do you need one for on-demand programmes?
The agency states: “You need a TV Licence to watch any live and on-demand programmes on BBC iPlayer. You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on-demand programmes on other services such as Netflix, ITVx or YouTube.”
They also clarify that you don’t need a TV Licence if you only download or watch on-demand or catch-up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer.
However, you will need a licence to use BBC iPlayer – on any device. A licence is not required to watch S4C programmes on demand, however.
Do I need a TV Licence if I don’t have a TV?
TV Licensing says: “A TV Licence covers you for all TV channels, pay TV services like Sky, and live TV on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Netflix. As well as everything on BBC iPlayer.
“This applies to any device. Some of these devices can be powered solely by their own internal batteries. Your home TV Licence will usually cover you to use these away from home.
“However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch TV channels on any TV service or watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat).”
When don’t I need a TV Licence?
You don’t need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer. This applies to watching on any device.
If you only do the following, you don’t need a licence:
- Watch S4C programmes on demand
- Watch DVDs or Blu-rays
- Stream, rent or buy movies from providers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus or Now
- Play videos clips through services like YouTube or to play video games.
- Watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer
How much is a TV Licence fine?
Watching, recording or downloading TV without a valid TV Licence could result in prosecution. If you’re convicted, you may be fined up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and compensation the court orders. In Guernsey, the maximum fine is higher, at up to £2,000.