Do you need a TV licence for streaming? Not for on-demand shows on services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+. You do need one if you watch or record live TV on any channel, through any app, website or device, and you need one for any use of BBC iPlayer, live or catch-up. As of October 2026, a colour TV licence costs £180 a year.
That is the short version. The rules turn on two questions: are you watching something as it is being broadcast or streamed live, and is it on BBC iPlayer? This guide explains both, along with the cost, the concessions and what happens if you get it wrong.
When you need a TV licence for streaming, and when you don’t
The licence is linked to how you watch, not to the screen you use or the company that runs the app. Based on the rules in force as of October 2026:
You need a licence to:
- Watch or record any programme live as it goes out on TV, on any channel, including UK and overseas channels.
- Watch a live stream of a channel through an app or website, for example the live feed on ITVX or a live channel on a pay-TV app.
- Watch live events streamed on subscription or free platforms, such as live sport or a live show on Netflix, Prime Video or YouTube.
- Use BBC iPlayer in any way: live, catch-up, streamed or downloaded.
You don’t need a licence to:
- Watch on-demand films and series on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+.
- Use catch-up on ITVX, Channel 4 or My5, provided you never watch those channels live.
- Watch on-demand clips and videos on YouTube and similar sites.
- Listen to the radio, including BBC radio stations.
What counts as “live” TV on a streaming service
“Live” means watching a programme at the same time as it is shown on TV or streamed live online. It does not matter which device, channel or service you use. If you are watching it as it happens, the licence rules apply.
This is where many subscribers get caught out. Streaming platforms that are mostly on-demand now carry some live content, especially sport and big one-off events. A Netflix subscription on its own does not mean you need a licence, but watching one of its live broadcasts as it streams does. Westferry Times covered this point when live wrestling arrived on Netflix in the UK.
Recording counts too. Setting a box or app to record a programme as it airs is treated the same as watching it live. Watching that programme later on demand, through a non-BBC catch-up service, is a different matter and does not need a licence.
BBC iPlayer: the one on-demand service that always needs a licence
BBC iPlayer is the exception to the “on-demand is fine” rule. You need a TV licence to watch or download anything on iPlayer, even an old box set you are catching up on weeks after broadcast. This applies on every device.
The same rule does not extend to BBC programmes bought or watched on other on-demand services. If a BBC drama is available on a third-party streaming platform and you watch it on demand there, the licence requirement for iPlayer does not apply.
Which devices a TV licence covers
The rules apply to any device you use to watch live TV or iPlayer, from a television to a laptop, phone or tablet. One licence covers the whole household, so everyone living at the address is covered when watching at home.
Students living away from home are a common grey area. A student whose parents hold a licence can be covered by it only if they watch on a device that runs on its own batteries and is not plugged into the mains or connected to an aerial. Plug a laptop in to charge while watching live TV, and that cover no longer applies.
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How much a TV licence costs as of October 2026
The fee rose on 1 April 2026. As of October 2026:
- Colour TV licence: £180 a year (up from £174.50).
- Black-and-white TV licence: £60.50 a year (up from £58.50).
These figures are confirmed on the official TV Licensing website. The fee can change, so check the current price there before paying.
Concessions and discounts
A few groups pay less or nothing:
- Over-75s on Pension Credit: a free licence. Being over 75 is not enough by itself; you must also receive Pension Credit.
- Blind or severely sight-impaired people: a 50% reduction, with proof such as a certificate of vision impairment.
- Residents of eligible care homes or sheltered housing: may be covered by an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence costing £7.50 per room.
- Students: no discount, but you can claim a refund for complete months you won’t use, for example over the summer break.
What happens if you watch live TV without a licence
Watching or recording live TV, or using iPlayer, without a valid licence is a criminal offence in the UK. The maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of up to £1,000, plus legal costs. Prison is very rare and is normally linked to failing to pay a fine imposed by a court, rather than to the original offence.
The BBC set out a plan in 2023 to help people who struggle to pay, so it is worth contacting TV Licensing before falling behind.
How to check whether you need a TV licence
If you only stream on-demand content and never touch iPlayer, you may not need a licence at all. Before cancelling or skipping one, run through this quick checklist:
- Does anyone in the household ever watch a channel live, on any device?
- Does anyone watch live sport or live events inside a streaming app?
- Does anyone use BBC iPlayer, even occasionally?
- Is any device set to record programmes as they air?
If the answer to any of these is yes, you need a licence. If every answer is no, you can use TV Licensing’s online checker to confirm your situation.
Could the TV licence rules for streaming change?
The way the BBC is funded remains under political debate, and ministers have previously left the door open to changes in who pays. In July 2026, T3 reported that the government and the BBC were weighing changes that could bring more streaming within the licence regime. Nothing has changed yet: the rules set out above are those in force as of October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TV licence to watch Netflix?
Not for on-demand series and films. You do need one if you watch a Netflix programme while it is being streamed live, such as a live sports event.
Do I need a TV licence for Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video?
The same rule applies. On-demand viewing doesn’t need a licence. Watching a live channel or live event through either service does.
Can I watch ITVX or Channel 4 catch-up without a licence?
Yes, as long as you only watch on demand. Watching the live channel feed in those apps needs a licence.
Do I need a TV licence to watch YouTube?
Not for ordinary on-demand videos. A licence is required if you watch a live TV channel or a live broadcast on YouTube as it streams.
Do I need a licence to listen to BBC radio?
No. Listening to the radio, including BBC radio stations, does not require a TV licence.
Sources: TV Licensing, How much does a TV Licence cost? (accessed 29 October 2026); TV Licensing, What happens if I don’t pay my TV Licence? (accessed 29 October 2026); TV Licensing, Does my parents’ TV Licence cover me while I’m away at university? (accessed 29 October 2026); Selectra, Do you need a TV licence? (updated 28 October 2026); T3, Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube in the UK? (20 July 2026); Cord Busters, Do I Need A TV Licence In The UK? The Complete Guide (17 June 2025).
