TV licence fee expected to rise above £180 next April

Watching TV could soon cost a little more. From April 2026, the standard colour TV licence is expected to rise above £180 a year - another increase linked to inflation and the rising cost of living for households.

The government sets the TV licence fee, which typically increases each April in line with the previous September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation. With the September 2025 inflation rate confirmed at 3.8%, this would take the cost of a standard colour licence from £174.50 today to just over £181 next year. But the government isn’t expected to confirm the exact amount until the end of the month.

It might not sound like much, but for households already counting every penny, it’s another bill to plan for. Before reaching for your wallet, it’s worth checking whether you really need to pay. Here’s who does - and doesn’t - need a TV licence, and how to save if money is tight.

Do you need a TV licence?

You’ll need one if you:

• Watch or record any TV shows as they’re being broadcast (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, or any other channel)
• Watch or download anything on BBC iPlayer
• Stream live events, like football, the news, or award shows, on any device

You don’t need a TV licence if you:

• Only watch on-demand or catch-up shows, like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, ITVX, or Channel 4
• Never watch live TV and don’t use BBC iPlayer

If you’re not sure, it’s worth checking. Watching even one live programme without a licence could get you into trouble.

Simple ways to save

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. And you could 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. 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.

Watch on-demand only

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, you’re fine.

Plan ahead

If you do need a licence, try putting aside a few pounds each week. Around £3-£4 a week will cover the yearly cost when renewal time comes around.

What happens if you don’t pay

It might be tempting to skip your TV licence, but this can lead to big problems:

• 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
• 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. Speak to us - we can help you budget, check you’re claiming all the support you’re entitled to, or find the right debt solution for your situation.

Find out more about dealing with a TV licence debt here: How to get out of debt: six steps to deal with your debt