TV Licensing

A TV Licence covers you to watch all TV channels, live TV on pay TV and streaming services, plus everything on BBC iPlayer. On any device.

Streaming a TV programme live? You’ll need a TV Licence

• Champions League matches or live channels on Amazon Prime Video 
• WWE or NFL events on Netflix 
• News or sports channels on YouTube

What about on-demand programmes?

You need a TV Licence to watch any live and on-demand programmes on BBC iPlayer*. You don't need a TV Licence to watch on-demand programmes on other services such as Netflix, ITVx or YouTube. 

 

A TV Licence covers more devices than just a TV

 

Your TV Licence covers you to watch live TV at home and on the go on devices such as phones, tablets and laptops. This means you can: 

 

• Stream live football on Sky with a tablet 
• Watch the news live on YouTube via a laptop 
• Catch up on iPlayer during your commute 

Buy a TV Licence

 

Which streaming services require a TV Licence?

Do I need a TV Licence to watch YouTube?

You don’t need a TV Licence to watch videos or clips on demand on YouTube.

But you do need a TV Licence if you watch live TV on YouTube.

An example of this would be watching Sky News live. But it isn’t just live news or sport which needs a licence – it’s any programme which is part of a TV channel, shown or transmitted for everyone to watch at the same time.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?

If you are watching a TV programme live YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, you need to be covered by a TV Licence.

You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch live TV on an online-only TV channel?

Yes. Online-only TV channels still count as live TV, so you need a TV Licence if you’re watching or recording their programmes.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch paid-for subscription channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now and Sky Go?

Subscription channels like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Disney Plus and Sky Go are television services that are normally paid for on a monthly basis via cable, satellite or the internet.

You will need a TV Licence if you watch live TV on a subscription channel.

But you don’t need a TV Licence if you only watch on demand programmes (other than those on BBC iPlayer) on paid-for subscription channels.

What if you don’t watch TV?

Do I need a TV Licence if I only ever watch on demand or catch up TV online?

It depends what you watch.

You don’t need a TV Licence if you only ever download or watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer. You also don’t need a licence to watch S4C TV on demand.

You do need a licence to use BBC iPlayer*, on any device.

Do I need a TV Licence if I don’t watch the BBC?

• Yes – if you watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service.
• No – if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*

Do I need a TV Licence if I don’t have a TV?

A TV Licence covers you for all TV channels, pay TV services like Sky, and live TV on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Netflix. As well as everything on BBC iPlayer.

This applies to any device. Some of these devices can be powered solely by their own internal batteries. Your home TV Licence will usually cover you to use these away from home.

However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch TV channels on any TV service or watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer*, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat).

Pay for your TV Licence

When don’t I need a TV Licence?

You don’t need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to watching on any device.

If you only do the following, you don’t need a licence:

• Watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer
• Watch S4C programmes on demand
• Stream, rent or buy movies from providers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus or Now
• Watch DVDs or Blu-rays,
• Play videos clips through services like YouTube or to play video games.

Note: if you are a landlord and you provide a device to allow your tenants to watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, that address needs to be covered by a TV Licence.

Tell us you don't need a TV Licence

Find out how to apply for a refund or cancel your TV Licence.

What if you watch on different devices?

Can I watch TV on my mobile phone without a TV Licence?

If you’re using a mobile device powered solely by its own internal batteries – like a smartphone, tablet or laptop – you will be covered by your home’s TV Licence, wherever you’re using it in the UK and Channel Islands.

However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat).

Do I need a TV Licence to watch Sky on my mobile phone?

If you’re using a mobile device powered solely by its own internal batteries – like a mobile phone – you will be covered by your home’s TV Licence.

However, if you’re away from home and plug your phone into the mains and use it to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, including Sky, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address.

Do I need a TV Licence for my kid's iPad?

If your child watches live TV, including streaming via plaforms like YouTube, or uses BBC iPlayer on their iPad, you must be covered by a TV Licence.

Buy a TV Licence

Can you record programmes or watch repeats?

Do I need a TV Licence to watch or record repeats?

Yes. You need a TV Licence to watch or record repeats of any programmes that have already been shown.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch or record +1, +2 or +24 channels?

Yes. as you’re still watching a programme as it’s being shown, whether you watch it on a TV, laptop, mobile phone or any other device.

Do I need a TV Licence to record a programme and watch it later?

Yes. It doesn’t matter when you watch it, how you record it or whether you watch TV on a television, laptop or any other device, you need a TV Licence.

Do I need a TV Licence if I watch a programme on a delay?

Yes. Even if the device you use creates a delay between when the programme is shown and when you watch it, you need a TV Licence.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch live programmes on Red Button services?

Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch live TV programmes being shown on Red Button services.

Any other questions?

Do I need a TV Licence to watch satellite programmes broadcast from outside the UK or Channel Islands?

Yes, you need a TV Licence no matter where they are broadcast or distributed from. This includes satellite or online streamed programmes from outside the UK or Channel Islands, such as sporting events and foreign shows.

What is Freely and do I need a TV Licence to use it?

Freely is the newest way to stream live and on demand TV, all in one place.

If you are watching a TV programme live on Freely, you need to be covered by a TV Licence.

You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Freely.

Do I need a TV Licence if I only ever watch on demand services (like catch up TV), DVDs or downloaded programmes?

You don’t need a licence if you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer.

You also don’t need a licence to watch DVDs or Blu-rays.

You need a TV Licence to use BBC iPlayer*. On any device.

I already pay for cable or satellite TV. Do I still need to buy a TV Licence?

It doesn’t matter if you receive TV programmes from a cable or satellite provider, through an aerial or over the internet. You still need a TV Licence to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, and to use BBC iPlayer*. On any device.

Do I need a TV Licence if I am using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, and to use BBC iPlayer*. On any device, even if you are using a VPN.