You must be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV. It makes no difference what equipment you use - whether it’s a laptop, PC, mobile phone, digital box, DVD recorder or a TV set - you still need a licence.
You do not need a TV Licence to view video clips on the internet, as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time as you are viewing it.
If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system, or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.
There is one TV Licence for colour TV and another for black and white TV.
There are also different variations of the TV Licence, each with different fees, depending on your circumstances. For example, there are special TV Licences for:
Businesses with multiple sites
Hotels, guesthouses and campsites
Residential care homes
People aged 74 and over
To find out more about the different TV Licences and fees payable, please choose from the options on the left of this page.
In some circumstances, you may qualify for a concession on the cost of your TV Licence. For example, if you are aged over 74, you can apply for a short term TV Licence, which will cover you until the month you turn 75, at which point you become entitled to a free over 75 TV Licence.
If you are blind or severely sight impaired, you can apply for a 50% concession on the cost of your TV Licence. And, if you live in residential care, you may qualify for a TV Licence at the cost of just £7.50 per year.
To find out more about the different concessions, please choose from the options on the left of this page.
When you move home, your TV Licence doesn't automatically move with you, so you need to let us know your new address. This way, we can update your details on our database and ensure that you're correctly licensed in your new home.
