Dosh dilemma – I don’t watch the BBC, do I need a TV licence?

Simon’s been wondering if he needs to renew his TV licence. He doesn’t watch the BBC and with the fee going up to £174.50 from April, he only wants to pay for it if he has to.

It’s a good question Simon and, with the fee about to increase by another £5, it’s what a lot of us are thinking.

Here’s what you should know.

Do you watch ‘live’ TV?

If you watch TV as it’s being broadcast – ‘live’ TV -  you need a licence. This applies to the BBC and other channels like ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, etc. But it also applies to online services like ITVX, All 4, Now TV, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, if you’re streaming live content.

For example, if you’re watching live horseracing on All 4, you’ll need a licence.

BBC iPlayer

If you watch or download any content from BBC iPlayer, live or not, you’ll need a licence.

What about different devices?

You might think you can dodge the fee by watching programmes on your smartphone. Think again!

No matter what device you use, whether it’s a TV, tablet, laptop, phone, or even a games console, if you're watching TV as it’s broadcast, you still need a licence.

When you don’t need a licence

If you only watch content after it’s been broadcast, you won’t need a licence, unless it’s on BBC iPlayer. So, if you catch up on programmes on ITVX, All 4, or Netflix, etc. after they’ve aired, you’re in the clear.

How many licences do you need?

A TV licence is per household. So, if you have one valid licence, it covers everyone in your home, no matter how many devices you use, even when you’re out and about.

But if you have a second home (like a holiday home), you’ll need a separate licence for that property, if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer there. This is unless it’s a  mobile home, static caravan or moveable chalet. 

What happens if you move house?

If you move home, you can tell TV Licensing about your change of address up to three months before you move and they’ll update your details.

You can even check if you’re eligible for a refund if you no longer need your licence, for example, you’re moving in with someone who already has one or going abroad.  

You can do this on the TV Licensing website.

So, unless you’re only watching non-live TV (and not on BBC iPlayer), you’ll still need a TV licence. It's a bit of a maze, but hopefully, this helps clear things up for you Simon and anyone else asking the same question.