TV Licensing

Legal framework

Why do I need a TV Licence?

A TV Licence is a legal permission to install or use television receiving equipment to watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, and to use BBC iPlayer*. This includes recording and downloading. On any device. The licence fee is not a payment for BBC services (or any other television service), although licence fee revenue is used to fund the services provided by the BBC.

The requirement to hold a TV Licence and to pay a fee for it is mandated by law under the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (as amended). It is an offence under section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 to watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer, on any device, without a valid TV Licence.

Section 365 of that Act requires a person to whom a TV Licence is issued to pay a fee to the BBC. The amount of this fee and the ways it can be paid (as a lump sum or in instalments) is set out by Government in the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (as amended).

Since 1991, the BBC, in its role as the relevant licensing authority, has been responsible under the law for collecting and enforcing the TV Licence fee. The BBC contracts companies to do this work under the BBC trade mark ‘TV Licensing’. The BBC (and contractors acting on its behalf) must comply with the law in collecting and enforcing the licence fee. The BBC Charter further requires the BBC Board to ensure that these arrangements are appropriate, proportionate and efficient.

Legislation on television licensing is available from legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new window).

Where does TV Licensing law apply?

The law that requires a TV Licence for using or installing television receiving equipment to watch or record television programmes as they are being shown on TV, or to download or watch BBC programmes, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer applies in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Is the issue of a TV Licence covered by consumer law?

No - the issuing of a TV Licence does not constitute a sale of goods or services and is not covered by consumer law.

In issuing a TV Licence, the BBC as the relevant licensing authority, is discharging a statutory function and the licence holder’s rights and obligations are governed by statute. The relationship between the BBC and the licence holder is subject to public law remedies; it is not a contractual relationship giving rise to private law rights and obligations.

In what circumstances do I need a TV Licence?

The requirement to hold a TV Licence and to pay a fee for it is mandated by law under the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (as amended). The legal requirements for a TV Licence and fee are not matters over which the BBC (and TV Licensing) has control. Any comments you have on the legal framework for television licensing needs to be addressed to the responsible government department, which is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ.

You don’t need a TV Licence to simply own or possess a television set and the licence fee is not a subscription to watch BBC programmes. A TV Licence is required to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or to download or watch BBC programmes on demand, including catch up TV, on BBC iPlayer.

A TV Licence is mandated by law and applies to any source: terrestrial, satellite, cable and via the internet. This includes streaming service such as: 

• Sky 
• Virgin 
• Freeview 
• Freesat 
• ITV Hub 
• All 4 
• YouTube 
• Amazon Prime Video 
• Now 
• Netflix 

 

A TV Licence is needed no matter what device you use and includes:  

 

• TVs 
• Desktop computers  
• Laptops 
• Mobile phones 
• Tablets 
• Games consoles 
• Digital boxes 
• DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders

 

A +1, +2 and +24 channel is a “live TV broadcast” in its own right. The term “live TV broadcast” refers to watching any television programme service as it is being shown on TV and watching or recording television programmes on these channels requires a TV Licence.  

 

Even if you access BBC iPlayer through another provider, such as Sky, Virgin, Freeview or EE TV, you must have a licence. 

 

You do, however, not need a TV Licence if you only use this equipment to listen to digital radio broadcasts (including on BBC Sounds).