A TV license is a legal requirement in the UK if you watch or record live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer to watch or record anything — whether live or on-demand
The TV license is not a document you carry like a driver's license. It is an annual payment to the TV Licensing authority, a government-backed organisation that collects fees and distributes revenue to the BBC and other public broadcasters. The license costs £159 per year for a colour television household as of 2024, though this amount changes periodically. You pay once and receive a license number valid for 12 months; the license covers all television sets in your home.
The key distinction from a driver's license is that a TV license is not proof of permission to own a television — it is a tax on the act of watching live broadcast content. You need one whether you own the television outright, rent it, or use a streaming device. The only exception is if you watch only on-demand content from services like Netflix or Amazon Prime and never watch BBC iPlayer or any live television channel.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a TV license if you watch or record any live television channel or use BBC iPlayer for any content, live or recorded.
- The annual cost is £159 for colour television and £53.50 for black and white, paid directly to TV Licensing.
- One license covers your entire household, including all televisions, computers, tablets, and phones used to watch may have access to content.
- TV Licensing can investigate non-payment and issue fines up to £1,000 if you are caught watching without a valid license.
- You can pay in full, by monthly instalments, or by quarterly payments depending on your preference and circumstances.
Who must have a TV license
Anyone in the UK who watches or records live television on any channel needs a TV license. This includes terrestrial channels like BBC One and ITV, satellite channels, cable channels, and streaming services that broadcast live content. The rule applies regardless of whether you own the television, rent it, or use a computer, tablet, or mobile phone to watch.
Households where only one person watches live television still need only one license for the entire property. If you live in a shared house, halls of residence, or a care home, each separate household unit needs its own license. A student in university halls typically needs a license if they watch live television in their room, and the halls themselves may hold a license that covers communal viewing areas.
The only people who do not need a TV license are those who genuinely never watch or record live television on any channel and never use BBC iPlayer. If you watch only Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or other on-demand services, you do not need a license — but the moment you watch a live broadcast or use iPlayer, you must have one.
What the TV license covers
One TV license covers all television sets, computers, tablets, and mobile phones in your household. You do not need separate licenses for each device. The license is tied to your address, not to individual people or devices, so any member of your household can watch on any screen without needing an additional license.
The license covers live television on any channel — BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat, Freeview, and any other broadcaster transmitting live content into the UK. It also covers BBC iPlayer for all content, whether live or on-demand, because iPlayer is considered a BBC service funded by the license fee. Watching iPlayer counts as using a television service even if you are watching a recorded programme from years ago.
The license does not cover video-on-demand services from other broadcasters. ITV Hub, All 4 (Channel 4), My5 (Channel 5), and UKTV Play all allow you to watch programmes without a TV license, provided you are not watching live content. The distinction matters: you can watch a recorded episode of a show on ITV Hub without a license, but watching the same show live on ITV requires one.
How to pay for a TV license
You pay TV Licensing directly through their website, by phone, or by post. The standard annual cost is £159 for a colour television household and £53.50 for black and white television. Payment options include paying the full amount upfront, paying by monthly instalments (usually around £13.25 per month), or paying quarterly. If you pay by monthly instalments, you will pay a small additional amount over the year.
When you pay, you receive a TV license number and a certificate showing your license is valid. You should keep this certificate as proof if TV Licensing ever investigates. The license runs for 12 months from the date you pay, and TV Licensing will send you a reminder before it expires so you can renew.
Some people may be may have access to to a free or discounted license. People aged 75 and over receive a free license. People who are blind or severely sight-impaired may receive a 50 percent discount. If you receive certain benefits or live in a care home, you may also may have access to for a discount. You must declare your circumstances to TV Licensing to receive these reductions.
What happens if you do not have a TV license
TV Licensing employs investigators who can visit properties to check whether residents have a valid license. They have no automatic right to enter your home, but they can ask to see your license. If you refuse to let them in or cannot show a valid license, they can explore for a warrant to enter and investigate further.
If you are caught watching live television or using BBC iPlayer without a license, you can be issued a Licensing Offence Caution (a formal warning), or taken to court. Court fines for watching without a license can reach £1,000, though most first-time offenders receive a caution or a smaller fine. If you receive a caution and then offend again, the fine is more likely to be substantial.
TV Licensing sends thousands of warning letters each year to addresses where no valid license is registered but television use is suspected. These letters do not mean you have been caught — they are a prompt to either buy a license or confirm that you do not watch live television. Ignoring the letter does not make the problem go away; if an investigator visits and finds you watching without a license, the consequences are more serious than straightforward paying for one now.
Exemptions and special circumstances
You do not need a TV license if you only watch on-demand content and never watch live television. This means you can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, and other streaming services without a license. You can also watch recorded programmes on ITV Hub, All 4, or My5 without a license, as long as you never watch anything live.
If you are moving house, your TV license does not automatically transfer. You must notify TV Licensing of your new address, and they will issue a new license certificate for that property. If you move within the validity period of your current license, you do not pay again — the license straightforward moves with you. If you move after your license has expired, you will need to pay for a new one.
Temporary visitors to your home do not need their own license. If a friend or family member stays with you and watches television, they are covered by your household license. However, if someone moves in permanently — a partner, adult child, or lodger — they become part of your household and are covered by the same license.
How to check if you need a TV license
Ask yourself: Do I watch or record live television on any channel? Do I use BBC iPlayer for anything, including on-demand programmes? If the answer to either question is yes, you need a TV license. If you only watch on-demand services and never watch live content, you do not.
TV Licensing provides a straightforward checker on their website where you can answer questions about your viewing habits. This is for your own information only — using the checker does not register you with TV Licensing or create any record. If you are unsure whether a particular service requires a license, the checker can help clarify.
If you have not paid for a license and you do watch live television or use iPlayer, you should buy one as soon as possible. The longer you watch without a license, the greater the risk of investigation and the larger the potential fine. Buying a license now costs £159; a court fine can cost up to £1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TV license if I only watch Netflix and Amazon Prime?
No, provided you never watch live television on any channel and never use BBC iPlayer. The moment you watch anything live or use iPlayer, you need a license. On-demand services like Netflix and Amazon Prime do not require one.
Can one TV license cover multiple properties?
No. Each property where you watch live television or use BBC iPlayer needs its own separate license. If you own a second home or a holiday property where you watch television, you must buy a license for that address as well.
What if I share a house with other people — do we each need our own license?
No. One license covers the entire household, regardless of how many people live there or how many televisions you own. Everyone in the house can watch on any device under the same license.
Can TV Licensing investigators enter my home without permission?
Not without a warrant. They can knock on your door and ask to see your license, but you can refuse to let them in. If they suspect an offence, they can explore to a court for a warrant, which then allows them to enter. Refusing entry without a warrant does not prevent them from explore for one.
What should I do if I receive a warning letter from TV Licensing?
If you do watch live television or use iPlayer, buy a license when ready. If you do not watch live television, you can write to TV Licensing to confirm this, and they will remove your address from their investigation list. Ignoring the letter is not a strategy — it increases the likelihood of an investigator visiting.