TV Licensing

Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of TV. It covers you for all TV channels, pay TV services like Sky, and live TV on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Youtube, Netflix and Freely. As well as everything on BBC iPlayer. This includes recording and downloading. On any device.

Or you can find out about different ways to pay.

Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown on any channel, TV service or streaming service. It’s not just live events like football, cricket, news and music. It also covers soaps, series, documentaries and even movies.

An online TV service is any streaming or smart TV service, website or app that lets you watch TV programmes over the internet. This includes services like Channel 4, Sky Go, Now, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, Freely and ITVX.

*A licence is not needed to watch S4C programmes on demand.

You could still need a TV Licence if you don’t have a TV

A TV Licence covers you for all TV channels, pay TV services like Sky, and live TV on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix and Freely. As well as everything on BBC iPlayer.

This applies to any device. Some of these devices can be powered solely by their own internal batteries. Your home TV Licence will usually cover you to use these away from home.

However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch TV channels on any TV service or watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer*, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat).

Pay for your TV Licence

Do I need a TV Licence to watch TV live online-only TV channel or service?

Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service. This includes recording and downloading. On any device. It doesn’t matter if you receive it over the internet, from a cable or satellite provider or through an aerial.

Pay for your TV Licence

Any other questions?

Do I need a TV Licence to watch satellite programmes broadcast from outside the UK or Channel Islands?

Yes, you need a TV Licence no matter where they are broadcast or distributed from. This includes satellite or online streamed programmes from outside the UK or Channel Islands, such as sporting events and foreign shows.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch YouTube?

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 live TV 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, shown or transmitted for everyone to watch at the same time.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?

If you are watching a TV programme live on Netflix, you need to be covered by a TV Licence.

You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Netflix.

What is Freely and do I need a TV Licence to use it?

Freely is the newest way to stream live and on demand TV, all in one place.

If you are watching a TV programme live on Freely, you need to be covered by a TV Licence.

You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Freely.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch live TV on an online-only TV channel?

Yes. Online-only TV channels still count as live TV, so you need a TV Licence if you’re watching or recording their programmes.

Do I need a TV Licence if I only ever watch on demand or catch up TV online?

It depends what you watch.

You don’t need a TV Licence if you only ever download or watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer. You also don’t need a licence to watch S4C TV on demand.

You do need a licence to use BBC iPlayer*, on any device.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch paid-for subscription channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now and Sky Go?

Subscription channels like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Disney Plus and Sky Go are television services that are normally paid for on a monthly basis via cable, satellite or the internet.

You will need a TV Licence if you watch live TV on a subscription channel.

But you don’t need a TV Licence if you only watch on demand programmes (other than those on BBC iPlayer) on paid-for subscription channels.

Can I watch TV on my mobile phone without a TV Licence?

If you’re using a mobile device powered solely by its own internal batteries – like a smartphone, tablet or laptop – you will be covered by your home’s TV Licence, wherever you’re using it in the UK and Channel Islands.

However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat).

Do I need a TV Licence to record a programme and watch it later?

Yes. It doesn’t matter when you watch it, how you record it or whether you watch TV on a television, laptop or any other device, you need a TV Licence.

Do I need a TV Licence if I only ever watch on demand services (like catch up TV), DVDs or downloaded programmes?

You don’t need a licence if you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer.

You also don’t need a licence to watch DVDs or Blu-rays.

You need a TV Licence to use BBC iPlayer*. On any device.

Do I need a TV Licence if I don’t watch the BBC?

• Yes – if you watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service.
• No – if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*

Do I need a TV Licence if I watch a programme on a delay?

Yes. Even if the device you use creates a delay between when the programme is shown and when you watch it, you need a TV Licence.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch or record repeats?

Yes. You need a TV Licence to watch or record repeats of any programmes that have already been shown.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch or record +1, +2 or +24 channels?

Yes. as you’re still watching a programme as it’s being shown, whether you watch it on a TV, laptop, mobile phone or any other device.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch live programmes on Red Button services?

Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch live TV programmes being shown on Red Button services.

I already pay for cable or satellite TV. Do I still need to buy a TV Licence?

It doesn’t matter if you receive TV programmes from a cable or satellite provider, through an aerial or over the internet. You still need a TV Licence to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, and to use BBC iPlayer*. On any device.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch Sky on my mobile phone?

If you’re using a mobile device powered solely by its own internal batteries – like a mobile phone – you will be covered by your home’s TV Licence.

However, if you’re away from home and plug your phone into the mains and use it to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, including Sky, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address.

Do I need a TV Licence if I am using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, and to use BBC iPlayer*. On any device, even if you are using a VPN.

When don’t I need a TV Licence?

You don’t need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to watching on any device.

If you only do the following, you don’t need a licence:

• Watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer
• Watch S4C programmes on demand
• Stream, rent or buy movies from providers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus or Now
• Watch DVDs or Blu-rays,
• Play videos clips through services like YouTube or to play video games.

Note: if you are a landlord and you provide a device to allow your tenants to watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, that address needs to be covered by a TV Licence.

Tell us you don't need a TV Licence

Find out how to apply for a refund or cancel your TV Licence.