TV licence rules explained for Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sky customers

675     0
May households fork out the £159 per year cost for a TV licence (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
May households fork out the £159 per year cost for a TV licence (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Households who have a subscription with Netflix, Amazon Prime or Sky might be wondering if TV licence rules apply to them.

The TV licence is a bill paid either on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis, but some Brits have been left confused whether they have to pay it if they have additional streaming services.

It is the BBC's main source of funding - providing around £3.7 billion of its £5 billion annual income.

If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, then you'll need to pay for a TV licence.

You also need one if you use BBC iPlayer - even if only watching shows on catch up.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness eiqdikriqhuinvEastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
TV licence rules explained for Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sky customersYou don't need a TV license if only watch shows or films on streaming services such as Netflix or Disney Plus (Photothek via Getty Images)

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.

This applies as long as you're not watching stuff live through these services.

An annual TV licence costs £159 per year. The current rate has been frozen until April 2024.

What does a TV licence cover?

A single TV licence covers all of the following in a single property:

How long does a TV licence last?

A TV licence is usually valid for a year after the day it is paid for.

TV licence rules explained for Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sky customersFor any other channel's catch-up service, apart from the BBC iPlayer, you don't need to pay for a TV license (Getty Images)

You need to be covered by a TV licence if you watch live TV on any channel or device

This includes:

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

You don’t need a licence to watch anything on a battery-powered device if you have a licence for your home or parents home.

Milica Cosic

TV Licensing, Smart TVs, Apps, BBC, Virgin Media Inc., Netflix

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 09:14 • News
Bird charity banned from Twitter for repeatedly posting woodcock photos
01.02.2023, 15:59 • More
The Apprentice's Shazia felt 'unsafe' in house with co-stars due to 'bullying'
01.02.2023, 18:40 • World
Vladimir Putin has lost half of Russia's airborne troops since invading Ukraine
01.02.2023, 20:13 • More
EastEnders fans devastated as Whitney receives heartbreaking news about her baby
01.02.2023, 23:39 • News
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman 'sign deal' to host Strictly for two more years
02.02.2023, 12:26 • More
Happy Valley star reassures concerned fans as he teases 'mind-blowing' final
02.02.2023, 12:33 • More
EastEnders' Reiss actor's past TV roles unearthed - including three soap roles
02.02.2023, 15:17 • More
Do you think the Happy Valley finale will have a happy ending? Vote in our poll
02.02.2023, 16:53 • World
Russian admits troops guilty of torture including knocking prisoner's teeth out
02.02.2023, 17:10 • More
Comedian Peter Kay makes huge decision on future of hit BBC sitcom Car Share