Licence

TV Licence

You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they're broadcast, and to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer

Apply for this licence

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You need a TV Licence if you:

  • watch or record live TV on any channel or service
  • use BBC iPlayer

You may be able to get a free or discounted TV Licence if you’re 75 or over and get Pension Credit, or if you’re blind or in residential care.

You do not need a TV Licence to watch:

  • streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
  • on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
  • videos on websites like YouTube
  • videos or DVDs

How much it costs

A TV Licence costs £159 (£53.50 for black and white TV sets) for both homes and businesses.

If you live in a shared household

You need your own TV Licence if you have separate tenancy agreements and you watch TV in your own room.

You can have one TV Licence for the whole household if you either:

  • watch TV in a single shared area
  • have a joint tenancy agreement

Students

If you’re living in university accommodation you’ll need a TV Licence to watch TV in your own room. Shared areas may already be covered by a TV Licence.

If you live at another address outside of term time, you can use its TV Licence while you’re at university on any device that’s:

  • battery powered
  • not plugged in
  • not connected to an aerial

Businesses

If your business offers overnight accommodation, for example a hotel, you need a TV licence for guests to watch TV in their room. A single TV Licence will cover up to 15 rooms or accommodation units.

Change or cancel your TV Licence

If you move home you can update your address on the TV Licencing website.

You can cancel your TV Licence or apply for a refund on the TV Licencing website.

Apply by phone

TV Licensing
Telephone: 0300 790 6071
Minicom: 0300 709 6050
Find out about call charges

Fines and penalties

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you watch or record live TV without a TV Licence.