TV licence changes from now as everyone who pays to see a difference

The cost will increase in line with inflation

From April 1 customers across the UK will be paying more to legally watch their televisions as the TV licence fee has increased. The annual fee change increases in line with inflation to fund the BBC and is a requirement for households that watch or record live TV.

Despite its name you do not need to have a television to pay the fee as it also applies on other devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and games consoles.

A TV licence is required for watching and recording live television on any channel, streaming service, or app and to download or watch BBC iPlayer.

There are however exceptions with some channels legal to watch if you do not have a TV licence including:

• Catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer such as ITVX, All4, and My5
• On-demand films or TV shows that you watch, rent, or buy online from providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky, EE TV, Apple TV, Disney+, or Now
• S4C programmes on demand
• DVDs or blu-rays
• YouTube streamers’ videos or clips live or recorded

From now the fee for a colour licence will increase to £180, up from £174.50, while a black and white licence now costs £60.50. For money-saving tips sign up to our Money newsletter here.

This means the cost of an annual colour TV licence will rise by £5.50 – the equivalent of an extra 46p a month.

As well as the BBC S4C receives all its public funding from the licence fee and will see its revenue rise receiving approximately £100m in 2026-27 to encourage the growth of the Welsh creative industries.

Watching live TV without a valid TV licence is a criminal offence with TV Licensing employing enforcement officers to conduct regular checks. Those caught watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport said: “TV licence fee to rise in line with inflation to provide the BBC with stable financial footing to deliver for audiences and support the wider creative industries.

“The increase in the cost of the TV licence will help keep the BBC on a stable financial footing, enabling it to continue to deliver on its mission and public purposes.

“The BBC is the UK’s number one media brand, with 94% of UK adults using the BBC each month last year, and it remains the UK’s most widely used and trusted news outlet.”

Many people may also be eligible for free and reduced fees. Free licences are available for over-75s on pension credit while care home residents and blind individuals could be eligible for a reduced rate.