Some people could be due a rebate on their fee and some can get it for free – full details
It has been confirmed that from Wednesday the TV licence will change – with people paying more to be able to lawfully watch their televisions. From April 1 the TV licence fee is to rise in line with inflation
You need a TV licence in the UK to watch or record live TV on any channel, streaming service, or app, for example Sky Go, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, and to download or watch any content on BBC iPlayer. This requirement applies regardless of the device—TV, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or console.
However, you do not need a TV licence if you only watch content after it’s been shown live – UNLESS it’s on BBC iPlayer. TV programmes downloaded or streamed after broadcast on other catch-up services, like ITVX and Channel 4, are fine without one. From April 1 the cost of this is rising to £180 – up from £174.50.
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.
“The government recognises the financial pressures on households and is committed to ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable, fair and affordable. The government has committed to the licence fee for the remainder of this Charter Period. To support the public with the cost of the TV licence, we will also continue to support the Simple Payment Plan to spread payments through smaller instalments. Free licences remain available for over-75s on Pension Credit, with reduced fees for care home residents and blind individuals.”
The UK government is currently consulting on a Green Paper process to overhaul the BBC’s funding model ahead of the 2028 Charter renewal, addressing falling compliance and changing viewing habits. Proposals include lowering the fee in exchange for universal payment, introducing advertising, or shifting to a household levy.
- Support for households in severe financial difficulty is available and free licences for over-75s on Pension Credit
- The increase follows the methodology of calculating the licence fee in line with the consumer price index (CPI) until the end of the BBC Charter Period.
- This means the cost of an annual colour TV licence will rise by £5.50, or the equivalent of an extra 46p a month.
Watching ‘live TV’ without a licence is against the law. TV Licensing has enforcement officers that carry out checks. Fee dodgers can face prosecution plus a fine of up to £1,000 if they’re found to be watching ‘live TV’ or BBC iPlayer without a licence.
This comes alongside the ongoing Charter Review, which will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded to provide value for licence fee payers, commands the public’s trust with impartial editorial standards and drives growth, opportunity and good jobs across the country.
The BBC has recently announced a series of initiatives with the aim of bringing trusted public service content to more young people and families where they are. This includes a new content partnership with YouTube, with a CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel launching later this year, as well as six themed channels featuring content from CBBC shows. The BBC is also partnering with the British Library to provide storytelling for pre-schoolers and their parents at library events across the UK.
S4C, which receives all its public funding from the licence fee, will also see its revenue increase proportionately, receiving approximately £100 million in 2026/27 to support the growth of the Welsh creative industries.
The current BBC Charter began on 1 January 2017 and ends on 31 December 2027. The annualised average of CPI from October to September has been used to calculate a 3.14% uplift to the licence fee.
The annual cost of a black and white TV licence will be £60.50 for 2026/27. The licence fee will also rise in line with CPI inflation in April 2027. This will be the final year of the current Royal Charter and funding settlement.
Support through the Simple Payment Plan was expanded to more households in 2024. Uptake rose by more than 10 per cent as of February 2025.
Check whether you’re due a refund
It may be possible to get a refund on your TV licence, if one of the following applies:
- If you’re moving in with someone who already has a TV licence or moving somewhere where you won’t watch ‘live TV’ or use BBC iPlayer.
- If you’re moving abroad.
- If you’re 75 or over and receiving Pension Credit (or living with someone who is).
- If you’re moving into a care home.
- If the TV licence holder has died, a refund may be due to the estate.
- If you have two licences for the same address.
- If you have a licence, but will not watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or use BBC iPlayer before your licence expires.
- If you’ve changed the type of licence to a cheaper one, such as a black-and-white licence, you may be due a partial refund.
Get a free or discounted TV licence
If you’re 75 or over and you get Pension Credit, you can get a free TV licence.
If you’re blind or in residential care, you can get a discounted TV licence.
If you’re 75 or over
You can get a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older and you either:
The licence covers everyone living at your address.
You can apply when you’re 74 if you already get Pension Credit. You’ll still need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. After that you’ll be covered by your free licence.
How to apply
You can apply for a free licence online.
You can also apply by phone.
TV Licensing Telephone: 0300 790 6071 Minicom: 0300 709 6050 Find out about call charges
If you’re in residential care or sheltered accommodation
You can get a TV Licence for £7.50 if you live in an eligible residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation.
You must be either:
- retired and over 60
- disabled
Your housing manager can check if you can get it and will apply for you.
If you’re registered blind
You can get a 50% discount if you’re registered blind or live with someone who is.
The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, you can make a new application to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your existing TV licence number when you apply.
Apply for a licence if you’re registered blind on the TV Licensing website.
To take part in the BBC consultation click here.
