A UK TV license is a legal permission to watch or record live television on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer on demand, in the United Kingdom
You must buy a TV license before you watch or record any live TV — whether that's on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, or any other broadcaster. You also need one to watch or read programmes on BBC iPlayer, even if you're watching something that was broadcast weeks ago. The license costs £159 per year for a colour television (or £53.50 per year if you only watch in black and white, which almost nobody does). You pay the TV Licensing authority, a government-backed organisation that collects the fee and enforces the requirement.
The money from TV licenses funds the BBC — the British Broadcasting Corporation — which produces news, drama, documentaries, children's programmes, and sports coverage. The BBC does not show advertisements, and the license fee is how it stays independent from both advertisers and direct government control. If you watch any live television or use BBC iPlayer, you are legally required to have a valid license. If you do not and you are caught, you can be fined up to £1,000.
Key Takeaways
- A TV license is required by law in the UK if you watch or record any live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer on demand.
- The license costs £159 per year for colour television and is paid to TV Licensing, the authority that collects fees and enforces the requirement.
- The money from licenses funds the BBC, which produces programmes without advertisements and operates independently from commercial broadcasters.
- You do not need a license if you only watch on-demand services like Netflix, YouTube, or other streaming platforms that are not BBC iPlayer.
- TV Licensing can investigate households and issue fines up to £1,000 if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a valid license.
Who has to buy a TV license
Anyone in the UK who watches or records live television needs a license. This includes people renting, people who own their home, students living in halls of residence, and people living in care homes or hostels. If you live with other people — a family, housemates, or a couple — one license covers the whole household, as long as it is for the address where you live.
The person whose name is on the license is responsible for making sure everyone in that household follows the law. If you are a student living in university halls, your accommodation provider may buy a license that covers all residents, or you may need to buy one yourself — check with your accommodation office. If you are renting a property, you are responsible for the license, not your landlord.
What you can and cannot watch without a license
You need a license to watch or record any live television, on any channel. This includes BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Virgin Media, and any other broadcaster. "Live" means the programme is being broadcast at the moment you are watching it — it does not matter if you are watching on a television set, a computer, a tablet, or a phone.
You also need a license to watch or read anything on BBC iPlayer, even if the programme is not live. If you watch a BBC drama that finished broadcasting last week, or a documentary from last month, you still need a valid license. This applies whether you are watching on a TV, computer, phone, or any other device.
You do not need a license to watch on-demand services that are not BBC iPlayer. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, Now TV, and other streaming platforms do not require a TV license. You also do not need a license to listen to radio, including BBC radio stations. If you only watch catch-up services like ITV Hub or All 4 (which show programmes after they have already been broadcast), you do not need a license — but if you watch anything live on those services, you do.
How to buy and renew a TV license
You buy a TV license directly from TV Licensing at tvlicensing.co.uk. You can pay the full year upfront (£159), or you can pay in monthly instalments of around £13.25. When you buy a license, you will need to provide your name, address, and the address of the property where you will be watching television. You will also need to confirm that you understand the legal requirement and that you will not watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a valid license.
Your license lasts for 12 months from the date you buy it. TV Licensing will send you a reminder before your license expires, usually about a month before. You can renew online, by phone, or by post. If you move house, you must tell TV Licensing your new address — your existing license does not automatically move with you.
If you are over 74 years old and receive Pension Credit, you may be able to get a free TV license. You will need to prove your age and your Pension Credit status. If you are blind or severely sight-impaired, you can get a 50 percent discount on your license fee.
What happens if you do not have a license
TV Licensing employs investigators who visit households to check whether people have a valid license. They have the legal right to visit your home if they suspect you are watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a license. You do not have to let them in — you have the right to refuse entry — but if you do refuse and you do not have a license, TV Licensing can explore to a court for a warrant to enter your property.
If you are caught watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a license, you can be prosecuted in court and fined up to £1,000. The fine is separate from the cost of buying a license. Most people who are caught are offered the chance to buy a license and pay a reduced penalty instead of going to court, but this is not may provide. If you receive a letter from TV Licensing asking about your viewing, you should respond honestly — lying to them is a separate offence.
The difference between a TV license and other UK fees
A TV license is not the same as a television set license or a vehicle tax. It is a legal permission to watch live television or use BBC iPlayer, and it is separate from any subscription you might pay to a broadcaster. For example, if you have a Sky subscription, you are paying Sky for their channels and services — you still need a separate TV license to watch live TV on any channel, including Sky's own channels.
The TV license is also different from a broadband bill or a phone contract. You can have internet and a phone without needing a TV license, as long as you do not watch live television or use BBC iPlayer. The license is purely about access to live television and BBC iPlayer on demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TV license to watch Netflix or other streaming services?
No. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and other streaming platforms do not require a TV license. You only need a license if you watch live television on any channel or use BBC iPlayer, whether on demand or live.
If I live with other people, do we each need our own license?
No. One TV license covers an entire household at a single address. The person whose name is on the license is responsible for making sure everyone in that household complies with the law. If you move to a different address, you need a new license for that property.
What if I only watch BBC iPlayer and never watch live TV?
You still need a TV license. BBC iPlayer requires a valid license for any content you watch or read, whether it is live or on demand. This is one of the main differences between BBC iPlayer and other streaming services.
Can TV Licensing investigators enter my home without permission?
No, not without a warrant. You have the legal right to refuse entry to your home. However, if you refuse and TV Licensing suspects you are breaking the law, they can explore to a court for a warrant that gives them the legal right to enter. Refusing entry without a valid license may lead to prosecution.
What is the fine if I am caught without a license?
The maximum fine is £1,000. Most people who are caught are offered the option to buy a license and pay a reduced penalty instead of going to court, but this is not may provide. The fine is separate from the cost of the license itself.