TV Licensing

TV LicenceLink for TV Licence
/ Do I need a TV Licence?

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

You only need one TV Licence per household, even if you use more than one of the devices listed above. A TV Licence costs £159 for colour TV, and £53.50 for black and white.

Pay for your TV Licence

Find out about ways to pay.

Need to update the details on your current TV Licence?

Find out about free, reduced fee and business licences below.

What is live TV and when do I need a licence for it?

Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown on TV or live on any online TV service. It’s not just live events like sport, news and music. It covers all programmes on any channel, including soaps, series, documentaries and even movies.

If you’re watching live TV, you need to be covered by a TV Licence:

if you’re watching on TV or on an online TV service
for all channels, not just the BBC
if you record a programme and watch it later
if you watch a programme on a delay
to watch or record repeats
to watch or record programmes on +1, +2 and +24 channels
to watch live programmes on Red Button services
even if you already pay for cable, satellite or other TV services

Find out more about watching live TV.

An online TV service is any streaming or smart TV service, website or app that lets you watch live TV over the internet. This includes services like All 4, Sky Go, Virgin Media, Now TV, BT TV, Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and ITV Hub. Find out more about watching online and on mobile devices.

If you’re thinking of buying a new TV you may find our TV buying guide helpful.

What about BBC iPlayer?

You also need to be covered to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use.

Find out more about watching on BBC iPlayer.

Don’t have a TV? You could still need a TV Licence for other devices.

It doesn’t matter what device you use. If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This includes:

TV sets (including smart TVs)
DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders
Laptops and desktop computers
Tablets, mobile phones and other portable devices
Digital boxes or PVRs (such as Sky, Virgin Media or BT TV)
Games consoles
Media streaming devices (such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Now TV)
Freeview, Freesat or YouView

Pay for a TV Licence now or find out about ways to pay.

Tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence

Do I need a TV Licence to watch online, including on YouTube?

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch programmes live on any online TV service - such as ITV Hub, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV or Sky Go. You don’t need a TV Licence if you only ever watch on demand programmes on any TV service apart from BBC iPlayer.

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 TV programmes live 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, broadcast or transmitted for everyone to watch at the same time.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch TV away from home?

If you’re watching away from your home on a phone, tablet or laptop, and:

you plug your device into the mains, you’ll be covered if that property already has a TV Licence (e.g. you go to a friend’s house and they have a licence). Otherwise, you’ll need to buy a separate TV Licence for that property.
your device is not plugged in (i.e. you’re watching or recording live TV programmes on any channel, or downloading or watching BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, using devices powered solely by internal batteries) you will be covered by your home TV Licence.

Pay for a TV Licence now or find out about ways to pay.

Tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence

I only watch non-UK channels, do I need a licence?

Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch any TV channels live (broadcast or online), even if these are from outside the UK. This applies no matter what device you’re using.

Are there any restrictions about who can buy a TV Licence?

Anybody can buy a TV Licence.

There are no age restrictions. However, people who are aged 75 years or over and receive Pension Credit are entitled to a free over 75 TV Licence.

For you and your home.

For your business or organisation.

You need a TV Licence if anyone on your premises watches or records live TV programmes on any channel, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, on devices provided by your business.

This applies to employees at their desks, in a canteen or staff area, and customers in waiting areas, shop floors or anywhere else. Find out more about licences for businesses or organisations.

Moving to the UK?

We’ve put together some useful tips to help you get organised if you are thinking of moving to the UK.

No TV and not using any device to watch live TV on any channel or TV service, or any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer?
Empty property or unoccupied address?
Covered by another licence?

Please tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence.

If you still have questions take a look at TV Licensing FAQs where you can find all the answers in one place.

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