The UK TV Licence is surrounded by a surprising number of myths.
One of the most common is:
“I own a television, so I have to pay for a licence.”
That is not true.
Simply owning a TV, laptop, smartphone, tablet or games console does not automatically mean that you need a TV Licence.
What matters is what you watch and how you watch it.
How much is a TV Licence in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, the annual fee is:
- £180 for a colour TV Licence,
- £60.50 for a black-and-white licence.
When do you need a TV Licence?
You need a TV Licence if you watch or record television live, regardless of the device you use.
This includes live television watched through:
- traditional television services,
- satellite or cable,
- streaming services,
- apps,
- websites.
The rule applies whether you watch on a television, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
What about BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer has a special rule.
If you use BBC iPlayer, you need a TV Licence.
This applies not only to live programmes but also to BBC programmes watched on demand.
Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube
You normally do not need a TV Licence if you only watch on-demand films and programmes on services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video and do not use BBC iPlayer.
Ordinary pre-recorded YouTube videos do not require a licence either.
However, watching live television through a streaming service can require one.
The simple version is:
Netflix on demand — no.
Ordinary YouTube videos — no.
Live TV through a streaming service — yes.
BBC iPlayer — yes.
What if I never watch the BBC?
You can avoid BBC channels completely and still need a TV Licence.
The requirement applies to watching live television on any channel or TV service, not just BBC programmes.
BBC iPlayer additionally requires a licence for on-demand viewing.
One licence for the household
In a typical household, one TV Licence covers the devices used by people living at that address.
You do not normally need a separate licence for each television, laptop or phone.
Different rules can apply to students, separately rented rooms and some tenancy arrangements.
I own a TV but only use Netflix
That is perfectly possible.
You can legally own a television without having a TV Licence if you use it only for services and activities that do not require one.
Owning the equipment itself does not create the requirement.
What matters is whether you watch live television or use BBC iPlayer.
Summary
The easiest way to remember the rules is:
Watch live TV — you need a TV Licence.
Use BBC iPlayer — you need a TV Licence.
Only watch on-demand Netflix, Amazon Prime, ordinary YouTube videos or similar services and do not use BBC iPlayer — you normally do not need one.
The device you use does not matter.
The TV Licence prices in this article apply from 1 April 2026.