A television license is a legal requirement in the UK if you watch or record live TV on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer at all
In the UK, you must hold a valid television license to watch or record any live television, regardless of which channel it is. You also need one if you use BBC iPlayer — even if you only watch on-demand programmes that are not live. The license is not a subscription to a particular channel; it is a legal permission that covers all live TV viewing in your home.
The television license fee goes directly to the BBC to fund its services. The amount you pay depends on whether you have a colour or black-and-white television, and it is set by Parliament. As of now, the standard colour TV license costs £159 per year, though this figure changes periodically. You buy the license from TV Licensing, the organisation that administers the scheme on behalf of the BBC.
The requirement applies to every household, lodging, or hall of residence where a television is used. If you live in a shared house or flat, only one license is needed for the whole property, but it must cover all the people living there. If you live alone or with family members, you need one license for your address.
Key Takeaways
- You need a television license if you watch or record live TV on any channel, or if you use BBC iPlayer for any content, including on-demand programmes.
- The license costs £159 per year for a colour television and £53.50 per year for black-and-white, and you buy it from TV Licensing.
- One license covers an entire household or property, not individual people, so flatmates or family members do not each need their own.
- Watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a valid license is a criminal offence that can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
- You can watch on-demand content from other broadcasters like ITV Hub, All 4, or Now TV without a license, as long as it is not live television.
Who must have a television license
Anyone in the UK who watches or records live television must have a license. This includes people who watch on a television set, a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone. The device does not matter — the rule is about the act of watching live TV, not the equipment you use.
If you use BBC iPlayer, you need a license even if you only watch programmes that have already been broadcast. This is different from other streaming services: ITV Hub, All 4, Channel 5, and Now TV do not require a license for on-demand content, only for live broadcasts. BBC iPlayer treats all content as requiring a license because the BBC is funded by the license fee.
Lodgers, students in halls of residence, and people in shared accommodation all fall under the same rule. If you are renting a room in a house where the landlord or another tenant already holds a license, you are covered by that license. If no one in the property has one, the person responsible for the property (usually the owner or main tenant) is legally responsible for obtaining it.
How to buy and renew a television license
You buy a television license directly from TV Licensing through their website, by phone, or by post. When you buy online at tvlicensing.co.uk, you can choose to pay the full annual amount upfront or pay in monthly instalments. Monthly payments cost slightly more overall but spread the cost across the year.
Your license is issued immediately when you pay online, and you can start watching straight away. If you pay by phone or post, there may be a delay of a few days before your license becomes active. TV Licensing will send you a paper license document in the post, which you should keep safe — you may need to show it if TV Licensing inspectors visit your home.
Licenses run for 12 months from the date you buy them. TV Licensing will send you a reminder before your license expires, usually about a month before the renewal date. You can renew online, by phone, or by post using the same methods as buying a new license. If you forget to renew and your license lapses, you are technically breaking the law from that moment on, even if you do not realise it.
What happens if you do not have a license
Watching or recording live television without a valid license is a criminal offence in the UK. If you are caught, TV Licensing can take you to court, and you can be fined up to £1,000. This is not a civil penalty or a warning — it is a criminal conviction that goes on your record.
TV Licensing employs inspectors who visit homes to check whether people are watching live TV without a license. They have the legal right to enter your home if you give them permission, but they cannot force their way in. If an inspector suspects you are watching live TV without a license, they can gather evidence and pass it to the police, who may prosecute.
In practice, most enforcement comes from people reporting themselves or from evidence gathered during a visit. If you receive a letter from TV Licensing asking you to declare whether you need a license, you should respond honestly. Ignoring the letter or lying on the declaration form can lead to prosecution even if you were not initially caught.
Exemptions and discounts
Some people do not need a television license. If you are over 74 years old and receive the appropriate state benefit, you are may have access to to a free license. You must apply for this through TV Licensing and provide proof of your age and benefit status.
If you are blind or severely sight-impaired, you can get a 50 percent discount on your license fee. You will need to provide proof of your registration with your local authority as a blind or sight-impaired person. This discount is not automatic — you must claim it when you buy or renew your license.
If you live in a care home, hospital, or similar institution, the rules may be different. Some care homes hold a single license that covers all residents, while others require individual licenses. You should check with your care home or institution about how they handle television licenses.
If you only watch on-demand content from services other than BBC iPlayer — such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or YouTube — you do not need a license. The requirement only applies to live television and BBC iPlayer content.
The difference between live TV and on-demand content
Live television means any programme being broadcast at the moment you are watching it. This includes live news, sports events, reality shows, and dramas that are airing for the first time. It does not matter which channel the live content is on — BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, or any other broadcaster. If it is live, you need a license.
On-demand content is a programme you choose to watch after it has already been broadcast. Most broadcasters offer their own on-demand services: BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, and Channel 5 all have catch-up services. You can watch on-demand content from ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 without a license, but BBC iPlayer requires one for everything, including on-demand programmes.
This distinction matters because many people assume they need a license to watch any television content online. In reality, you only need one for live broadcasts and for BBC iPlayer. If you watch a drama on All 4 the day after it airs, or a film on Netflix, or a video on YouTube, no license is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license if I only watch Netflix and other streaming services?
No. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and similar services do not require a television license. You only need a license if you watch live television on any channel or use BBC iPlayer for any content. Streaming services that offer only on-demand content are not covered by the license requirement.
What if I live with other people — do we each need our own license?
No. One television license covers an entire household or property. If you live in a flat with flatmates, a house with family members, or any other shared accommodation, only one license is needed for that address. The person responsible for the property (usually the owner or main tenant) should hold the license.
Can I watch live TV on my phone or tablet without a license?
No. The device does not matter. If you watch live television on a phone, tablet, computer, or television set, you need a valid license. The rule applies to the act of watching live TV, not the equipment you use to watch it.
What should I do if I receive a letter from TV Licensing?
You should respond to the letter honestly. If you do watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, you need to buy a license. If you do not watch live TV and do not use BBC iPlayer, you can declare this on the form. Ignoring the letter or providing false information can lead to prosecution.
Is there a way to watch BBC content without a license?
You can listen to BBC radio stations and use BBC Online (the website and apps for news, weather, and other information) without a license. You only need a license to watch BBC television programmes, whether live or on BBC iPlayer. BBC Sounds, the audio streaming service, also does not require a license.