Not everyone needs to pay for a licence, but many do
Not everyone is required to pay the full cost of a TV Licence. Depending on their circumstances, some people may be eligible for a free licence or a reduced rate.
A TV Licence gives you access to a wide range of television content and covers all live TV channels. This includes BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave, and international broadcasters.
Additionally, it covers watching or recording live TV through streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as all BBC iPlayer content. And these are just some of the benefits.
How much is a TV Licence in 2026?
At present, you must pay £180 annually for a colour licence or £60.50 for a black-and-white TV set. This follows a price rise on April 1, 2026 as mandated by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, aligned with inflation.
But there is a way you can get a £180 discount on your annual fee. Yes, that makes it free.
TV Licensing officials explain that some people can apply for a free TV Licence if the licence holder is 75 years or older and they, or their partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit.
How to get a free TV Licence
Guidance explains: “If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free licence when you are 74 years old. We’ll update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, and then you’ll be covered by your free licence. We’ll confirm this in writing.
“If you’re blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you’re eligible to apply for a 50% concession. Once your blind application has been accepted you can then apply for a free TV Licence. “
‘No longer fit for purpose’
On July 8, the new BBC director general described the traditional TV licence model as “a busted flush” and “no longer fit for purpose”.
Former Google executive Matt Brittin told MPs that the licence fee is “yesterday’s model”. Brittin said: “We can and should be doing as much as possible on [enforcing] licence fee collection under the current model, but it’s yesterday’s model, it’s a busted flush, it’s no longer fit for purpose, and that’s why we need to make the case for the BBC and a shift of the licence fee model.”
You can read the full article here. You can also check here to see whether you need a licence and whether you could get a reduced rate.
