TV licence fee hike

TV licences will be hiked by £5 next year, going up to £174.50 from April 2025.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed the prise rise on Friday (29 November).

The increase applies to colour licences.

We don’t yet know how much black and white licences (currently £57) will rise by, if at all.

What is a TV licence?

A TV licence is a fee you pay to watch or record programmes on a range of devices as they are broadcast.

It also covers on-demand BBC programmes via iPlayer.

It’s illegal to watch these without a licence.

When you definitely need a licence

You need a TV licence if you do any of the following:

• watch live broadcasts on any TV channel, even international ones
• use streaming services like All 4 or Amazon Prime and clicking ‘watch live’
• record live TV on any device, including good old VHS recorders
• watch anything on BBC iPlayer, whether live or on catch-up

What about streaming services?

You don’t need a TV licence for:

• streaming services like Netflix or Disney Plus
• watching on-demand TV via All 4 or Amazon Prime Video
• YouTube videos
• videos or DVDs

Just remember, if you hit ‘watch live’ without a licence, you’re breaking the law.

If it’s already aired, you don’t need a licence.

Tell TV Licensing if you don’t need a licence

If you decide you don’t need a licence, let TV Licensing know through their website.

Otherwise, expect letters asking why you don’t have one.

They may send an officer to your home, but they can't force entry.

You don’t have to let them in, and they must prove you’re watching live TV.

However, if they suspect you've been watching illegally, they may return with a search warrant.

Getting caught can lead to a fine up to £1,000.

How many licences do you need?

One licence usually covers everyone in a household – but there are some exceptions:

• Homeowners or renters with family need just one licence.
• Lodgers might be covered by the householder's licence if they have one.
• Flat-shares with individual tenancy agreements need separate licences.
• Check your tenancy agreement if your landlord provides the TV equipment.

What happens if you don’t pay?

The fine for not having a TV licence can reach £1,000, and failing to pay could lead to imprisonment.

It's best to keep things above board.

See if you can get a discount

The current fee for a full-colour licence is £169.50 until April 2024, when it will rise by £5.

Discounts are available:

• If you’re over 75 and get pension credit, you can get a free TV licence.
• If you live in a care home because you’re either disabled or retired and over 60, a TV licence will cost you just £7.50.
• If you’re registered blind, you’ll get a 50% saving.
• Black and white licences are cheaper at £57 but you'll need to have a black and white TV.