TV Licensing

• All TV channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave and international channels
• Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and BT
• Live TV on streaming services, like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video
• Everything on BBC iPlayer.

This includes recording and downloading. On any device.

You only need one TV Licence per household, even if you use more than one of the devices listed above. A TV Licence costs £169.50 for colour TV, and £57.00 for black and white.

Answers to your questions

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 live on any TV service or streaming 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 TV channels on any TV service or streaming 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 service, website or app that lets you watch live TV over the internet. This includes services like Channel 4, Sky Go, Virgin Media, Now, BT TV, Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and ITVX. 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 TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on any streaming service, or use 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)
• 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 TV channels live on any TV service or streaming service - such as ITVX, Channel 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now 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 TV Licence.

For your home, business or organisation

For you and your home.

• You're moving address
• Moving house checklist
• Second home
• Students
• Tenants and lodgers
• Aged 74 or older
• Care home residents
• Blind (severely sight impaired)
• Armed forces personnel

For your business or organisation.

You need a TV Licence if anyone on your premises watches TV channels on any TV service, watches live TV on any streaming service, or uses BBC iPlayer*, on device 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.

• Clubs and community groups
• Halls managers
• Hospitality
• Hospitals
• Hotels, hostels, mobile units and campsites
• Residential care homes and sheltered accommodation
• Residential landlords
• Schools and colleges
• Shops and offices
• TV dealers

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.

Think you don’t need a TV Licence?

• No TV and not using any device to watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on any streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer?*
• Empty property or unoccupied address?
• Covered by another licence?

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

Still not sure? Watch our video below to find out if you need a TV Licence.