If you stream on the likes of Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ or Amazon Prime, you may need a TV Licence
The rules around getting a TV Licence can be pretty confusing. And to clear things up, TV Licensing officials have confirmed whether you really need a Licence to watch subscription services.
Yes, if you watch the likes of YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Prime, you may need to pay £180, depending on your viewing habits. But what about Disney+? Officials confirm: “You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Disney Plus.”
Currently, people across the UK must pay £180 per year for a colour TV Licence or £60.50 for a black-and-white set. This follows a price increase which came into force on April 1, 2026.
While you may not need it to watch Disney+, in some cases, people will need it to watch certain shows on Amazon Prime, Netflix and YouTube.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?
Officials note: “If you are watching a TV programme that is being broadcast live on Netflix, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on-demand programmes on Netflix.”
Do I need a TV Licence to watch Amazon Prime?
This depends on what you’re watching. It notes: “If you’re watching TV showing live on Amazon Prime, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. You don’t need a TV Licence if you’re only watching on-demand programmes on Amazon Prime.”
Do I need a TV Licence to watch YouTube?
A YouTube Premium subscription does not replace the need for a TV Licence. If you watch live TV on YouTube, you must still have a valid TV Licence.
TV officials confirm: “If you are watching a TV programme live on YouTube, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. A licence is not required to view user-generated content, clips and videos on YouTube.
“This includes live-streamed content that is not part of a television broadcast. Or being broadcast at the same time by other means.”
I don’t watch TV, do I still need a Licence?
You don’t need a licence if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to watching on any device.
If you only do the following, you don’t need a licence:
- Watch on demand or catch up on programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer
- Watch S4C programmes on demand
- Stream, rent or buy movies from providers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus or Now
- Watch DVDs or Blu-rays,
- Play videos clips through services like YouTube or to play video games.
TV Licensing add: “If you are a landlord and you provide a device to allow your tenants to watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, that address needs to be covered by a TV Licence.”
You can tell officials that you don’t need a TV Licence here.
Remember, “you could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000* fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay”, it says, adding that the maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey.
