TV Licence Changes From Today as Everyone Who Pays Sees a Difference

Households across the UK will pay more for their TV licence from April 1, as the annual fee rises in line with inflation.

The TV licence is required for anyone who watches or records live television on any channel, uses BBC iPlayer, or streams live content on apps and devices — including phones, tablets, laptops and games consoles. You don’t need to own a physical TV for the fee to apply.

What you can watch without a TV licence

You do not need a licence for:

- Catch‑up services other than BBC iPlayer (ITVX, All4, My5 etc.)  

- On‑demand shows and films on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, NOW, Apple TV and others  

- S4C programmes on demand  

- DVDs and Blu‑rays  

- YouTube videos (live or recorded)  

How much the TV licence now costs

- Colour licence: £180 (up from £174.50)  

- Black and white licence: £60.50  

The increase means a colour licence now costs £5.50 more per year — around 46p extra per month.

S4C, which receives all its public funding from the licence fee, will see its budget rise to around £100m in 2026–27, supporting Welsh‑language broadcasting and the wider creative sector.

What happens if you don’t have a licence?

Watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a valid licence is a criminal offence. TV Licensing carries out regular checks, and anyone caught could face:

- Prosecution  

- A fine of up to £1,000  

Government statement

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the increase ensures the BBC has a “stable financial footing” to continue delivering its public service mission.

They added that the BBC remains the UK’s “most widely used and trusted news outlet”, with 94% of UK adults using BBC services each month.

Who can get a free or reduced TV licence?

Some people may be eligible for discounts:

- Free licences for over‑75s receiving Pension Credit  

- Reduced fees for care home residents  

- Reduced rate for people who are blind or severely sight‑impaired