TV Licensing Authority

Your annual TV Licence payment generally covers four key factors related to watching, recording, and downloading content

The price of a TV Licence rose for many in 2025, with the Government increasing the price to £174.50 last April. This annual payment is generally mandatory for any households or businesses that watch live TV or access BBC iPlayer.

However, you may be wondering what rules apply to people who exclusively watch DVDs or play games on their TV. Guidance on this matter is summarised on the official TV Licensing website, along with the answers to other frequently asked questions.

“You don’t need a TV Licence if you only use your TV for gaming or DVDs,” the website explains. “That’s as long as you never watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer.”

Two years ago, the Secretary of State announced a 2.9% increase in the licence fee, starting from April 1, 2025, in line with the annual CPI inflation. This resulted in a daily rise of just over 1p, and is only the second fee increase since April 1, 2021.

While standard coloured licences now cost £174.50 annually, black-and-white licences cost £58.50 per year. Future licence fee increases will be tied to CPI inflation over the next four years, ending in 2027. From April 2026, the fee will increase again by £5.50 to £180.

Official TV licensing guidance adds: “You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.”

Certain people are eligible for discounted TV Licences, provided they meet specific criteria. Older adults claiming Pension Credit may also qualify for a completely free TV Licence if they are over 75 and/or living with a partner who receives the benefit.

Pension Credit is different to the State Pension. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age on a low income, boosting weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single or £346.60 with a partner.

Those claiming Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence when they turn 74, but will still need to pay until the end of the month before their 75th birthday. After this point, they will be covered by the free licence.

For more information on TV Licences, click here.

Everything covered by a TV Licence

Your annual payment generally covers four key factors. These include:

• All TV channels – like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
• Pay TV services – like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV
• Live TV on streaming services – like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video
• Everything on BBC iPlayer

This covers watching, recording, and downloading on any device.

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The TV Licence fee rose to £174.50 in April 2025, but some people may need to pay twice

Many households faced a rise in the TV Licence fee last year, with the Government pushing the price up to £174.50 in April 2025. This yearly payment is generally required for homes and businesses watching live television, including broadcasts on services such as Netflix and YouTube, as well as BBC iPlayer content.

Whilst just one licence covers each household, the situation is different for people with a second home or a caravan. Sometimes, you might need to get another TV Licence for that property, which could see the total bill jump to £349.

Additional TV Licences are particularly necessary if you intend to view TV channels on any service, live broadcasts on streaming services, and BBC iPlayer from a second property. According to official TV Licensing online guidance, this covers any device in a house, flat, bungalow, or cottage.

The only exception is if you exclusively use devices running on their own batteries, so they’re not linked to an aerial or connected to the mains electricity. In those circumstances, your main residence’s TV Licence will suffice.

Yet completely separate rules apply to those living in a touring caravan, static caravan, boat, mobile home, or moveable chalet. Official guidance confirms that your main home’s TV Licence should cover you, provided nobody is watching live programmes or accessing BBC iPlayer at the same time at your main licensed address.

In this case, you’ll be required to complete a declaration form, which ought to take just a few minutes. The forms can be accessed in both English and Welsh.

Official TV licensing guidance adds: “You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.

“A standard TV Licence costs £174.50 and a black and white licence costs £58.50.” For more information, click here.

Why has the licence fee gone up?

The Secretary of State approved a 2.9% hike in the licence fee for 2024, coming into force from April 1, 2025, aligned with annual CPI inflation. This represents a daily increase of just over 1p and is only the second fee rise since April 1, 2021.

The adjustment has raised the annual colour licence fee to £174.50, while the black-and-white licence now costs £58.50 annually. Moving forward, licence fee rises will track CPI inflation for the following four years, ending in 2027.

What does a TV Licence include?

Your payment encompasses four main elements. According to the Express, these include:

• All TV channels – like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
• Pay TV services – like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV
• Live TV on streaming services – like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video
• Everything on BBC iPlayer

This covers watching, recording, and downloading on any device.