TV licence explained - including the rules about who can get one for free
The TV licence fee will rise by more than £10 next year - but not everyone needs to pay for a licence.
It currently costs £159 a year for a TV licence but this will increase to £169.50 next April. The licence fee has been frozen for the last two years, so it last went up in April 2021.
Earlier this week, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer said she was concerned about a "significant rise" while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged the BBC to be “realistic” over how much it expects people to pay.
If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, then you'll need to pay for a TV licence. This applies whether you watch on a TV, PC, laptop, tablet, or phone. Failure to have one is a criminal offence, risking a possible £1,000 fine.
You also need a TV licence if you use BBC iPlayer - even if only watching shows on catch up. However, you do not need one if you're watching shows on catch-up using streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5. The rules are different if you’re watching live shows through these services, in which case you would need a TV licence.
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Who is exempt from paying for a TV licence?
Lucinda O’Brien, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said there are some groups of people who are exempt from paying for a TV licence, which could provide you with a savings boost in 2024.
She said: “Students could be covered by their parent's licence even if they live away from home, although they should note this only applies for viewing on a device such as a phone, tablet or laptop computer - not a television plugged into the mains or desktop computer. Anyone on Pension Credit who’s over the age of 75 can get a reduction in the cost too.
“Pension Credit is a benefit that helps cover costs if you're over the State Pension age and on a low income. Find out if you’re eligible on the Government website. Others may be eligible for a reduction, including those with a severe sight impairment, who can claim a 50% discount, and people living in a residential care home or sheltered accommodation, who can pay as little as £7.50.”
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