What a TV License Is and Who Needs One

A TV license is a legal permission to watch or record live television on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer to watch or record anything, in the United Kingdom. It is not a subscription service — it is a requirement enforced by law. If you watch or record live TV on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer for any content at all, you must have a valid TV license, regardless of whether you pay for other streaming services.

The TV license fee funds the BBC and is collected by a government-owned organisation called TV Licensing. The money goes to the BBC to produce and broadcast its television, radio, and online services. You need a license for each address where you watch or record live television — a separate license for your home, and another if you rent a second property where you watch TV.

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 only use Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or other on-demand services that are not live, you do not need a license for those alone.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a TV license if you watch or record live television on any channel, or if you use BBC iPlayer for any content.
  • The TV license fee is set by Parliament and currently costs £159 per year for a colour television license, or £53.50 per year for a black and white license.
  • You can purchase a TV license online through the TV Licensing website, by phone, or by post, and it takes effect when ready or on a date you choose.
  • TV Licensing can visit your home to check whether you have a valid license, and using a television without one is a criminal offense that can result in a fine up to £1,000.
  • If your circumstances change — you move house, stop watching live TV, or become over 75 — you may be may have access to to a refund or a free license.

The Cost and What It Covers

The TV license fee is set by Parliament and changes each year. As of April 2024, a colour television license costs £159 per year, and a black and white license costs £53.50 per year. You pay the same amount whether you own one television or ten, and whether you live alone or with others — one license covers the entire household at that address.

The fee covers all BBC services: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament, and all BBC radio stations. It also covers BBC iPlayer, which means you can watch or record any BBC content on iPlayer at any time, live or on-demand. The license does not cover other channels like ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, or Sky, but you need the license to watch their live broadcasts.

You can pay the license fee in one lump sum, or spread it across ten monthly payments. Monthly payments are slightly more expensive overall but give you the option to cancel with notice if your circumstances change. If you receive certain benefits, you may be may have access to to a 50 percent discount on the license fee.

How to Get a TV License

You can purchase a TV license online through the official TV Licensing website (tvlicensing.co.uk), by telephone on 0300 790 6117, or by post. The online route is the fastest — you can complete the purchase in a few minutes and the license takes effect when ready, or on a future date you choose.

When you explore, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, and payment details. If you are buying a license for the first time at an address, TV Licensing may ask you to confirm that you watch or record live television. You do not need to provide proof, but you must declare that you do watch live TV — if you do not, you do not need a license.

Once your license is active, you will receive a license certificate by post within a few weeks. Keep this certificate safe — it is your proof that you are licensed. If TV Licensing visits your home, you can show them the certificate or your online account details to prove you are covered.

What Happens If You Do Not Have a License

Watching or recording live television without a valid license is a criminal offense in the UK. TV Licensing employs enforcement officers who can visit homes to check whether residents have a valid license. They have no legal power to enter your home without permission, but if they suspect you are watching television without a license, they can explore to a court for a search warrant.

If you are caught without a license, you can be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000. A fine does not give you a license — you still have to purchase one separately. TV Licensing also sends warning letters to addresses where they believe unlicensed viewing is taking place. These letters are not fines, but they are a formal notice that you must have a license if you watch live TV.

If you receive a letter and you do watch live television, you should purchase a license when ready. If you do not watch live TV and never use BBC iPlayer, you can respond to the letter in writing to declare that you do not need a license. Keep a copy of your response for your records.

Refunds and Changes to Your Circumstances

If you move house, you can transfer your TV license to your new address online or by phone. The transfer is free and takes a few minutes. If you move and your new address is in a different region, your license still works — TV licenses are valid across the entire UK.

If you stop watching live television and no longer use BBC iPlayer, you can cancel your license and request a refund for any unused portion. Refunds are calculated from the date you cancel, so if you cancel mid-year, you will receive a refund for the remaining months. If you pay monthly, you can cancel with one month's notice.

If you are over 75 years old, you are may have access to to a free TV license. You must explore for this separately — it does not happen automatically. You can explore online or by phone, and you will need to provide proof of your date of birth. If you are currently paying for a license and you turn 75, contact TV Licensing to switch to a free license and receive a refund for any overpayment.

Checking Your License Status Online

You can check whether your TV license is active by visiting the TV Licensing website and logging into your account. You will need your license number and postcode, or you can create an online account using your email address. Your online account shows your license expiry date, your payment history, and any outstanding balance if you pay monthly.

If you have lost your license certificate, you can print a replacement from your online account or request one by post. If you cannot remember your license number, TV Licensing can look it up using your name and address. You can contact them by phone on 0300 790 6117 or through the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a TV license if I only watch on-demand services like Netflix or Amazon Prime?

No. You only need a TV license if you watch or record live television on any channel, or if you use BBC iPlayer. On-demand services that are not live do not require a license. However, if you ever watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, you must have a license.

What if I live with other people — do we each need our own license?

No. One TV license covers everyone in the same household at the same address, regardless of how many people live there or how many televisions you own. If you move to a different address, you need a separate license for that property.

Can I get a refund if I buy a license and then decide I do not watch live TV?

Yes. If you purchase a license and later decide you do not need it, you can cancel and request a refund for the unused portion. The refund is calculated from the date you cancel. If you pay monthly, you can cancel with one month's notice.

What should I do if TV Licensing sends me a warning letter?

If you watch live television or use BBC iPlayer, purchase a license when ready. If you do not watch live TV and do not use BBC iPlayer, you can respond to the letter in writing to declare that you do not need a license. Keep a copy of your response. Do not ignore the letter.

Is the TV license the same as a subscription to the BBC?

No. The TV license is a legal requirement to watch live television on any channel or use BBC iPlayer. It is not a subscription service, and you cannot opt out if you watch live TV. The fee funds the BBC and is set by Parliament, not by the BBC itself.