Licence fee to go up in April

The cost of watching TV is set to go up again.

From the start of April, the annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180.

That means the cost of an annual colour TV licence will increase by £5.50 - or 46p a month. 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport acknowledged that households are facing “financial pressures” right now.

But it said it’s “committed to ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable, fair and affordable”. 

According to government figures, 94% of UK adults used the BBC each month last year.

Do I need a TV licence?

You need a TV licence if you:

• watch live broadcasts on any TV channel, including international channels
• use streaming services and click ‘watch live’
• record live TV on any device (including VHS recorders)
• watch any content on BBC iPlayer, whether live or on catch-up

You don’t need a TV licence if you’re watching:

• streaming services such as Disney Plus or Netflix
• on-demand TV via ITVX, Channel 4 or Amazon Prime Video
• YouTube videos
• DVDs, Blu-rays or videos
• a programme that has already aired and isn’t on BBC iPlayer

The basic rule of thumb to remember is that if you press ‘watch live’ and you don’t have a licence, you’re breaking the law.

If you decide you don’t need a licence, you still need to let TV Licensing know, or you might get letters asking why you don’t have one.

Easy ways to save

If you're worried about the increase, remember there are a few ways to manage your costs or possibly spend less.

See if you can get it free

If you’re over 75 and you or your partner receives pension credit, you don’t have to pay. 

You might also be entitled to a 50% discount if you’re registered as blind or severely sight-impaired.

Spread the cost

You don’t have to pay the full amount in one go. 

Instead, you can set up a payment plan with TV Licensing to pay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. 

This can make it easier to manage your budget.

Just watch on-demand

If you only watch on-demand shows, you can cancel your licence and keep the money in your pocket.

To make it official, go to the TV Licensing website and fill in a short form to confirm you don’t need a licence. 

They may contact you to check, but as long as you’re only watching on-demand, there’s nothing to worry about.

Plan ahead

If you do need a licence, try putting a few pounds aside every week. 

Around £3 or £4 a week will cover the yearly cost when renewal time comes around.

What happens if you don’t pay?

You might be tempted to carry on watching without paying your licence.

But that can lead to big problems.

For example:

• you could be fined up to £1,000 if you’re caught watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence
• you’ll still have to pay the licence fee
• court and enforcement costs can add up quickly

And in some cases, it could even lead to a criminal record.

If you’re struggling to pay your TV licence or other household bills, you’re not alone. 

Get in touch for help with managing your budget or to find out if you’re claiming all the support you’re entitled to.

And if you’re struggling with debt, we can offer you advice for your situation.