TV Licensing has confirmed the full list of exemptions from the BBC TV Licence fee under Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy. It remains illegal to watch BBC iPlayer or to watch or record live TV from any channel without a TV Licence, and those caught doing so can be taken to court and fined up to £1,000.
However, not everyone is required to pay. The rules vary depending on circumstances, including whether you claim Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), your age, or whether you only watch on-demand content from non-BBC services.
Who can get a free or discounted licence?
If you or someone you live with is over 74, you still need to apply for a TV Licence to watch live TV or iPlayer, but you do not have to pay for it. The free TV Licence scheme for people aged 75 and over ended on 31 July 2020, but those claiming Pension Credit remain eligible for a free licence.
Blind people can also benefit: if you are legally blind, you can get a discounted TV licence at 50% off, which works out at £90. In addition, black-and-white TV licences still exist and cost £60.50 for those who have one.
When you don't need a licence: catch-up and on-demand
If you never watch the BBC and only use other channels' catch-up services, it's possible to legally ditch the TV licence and save money, regardless of the device you use. BBC and ITV star Martin Lewis explains: "This is because you only need a TV licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast or use iPlayer – if you only ever use other catch-up sites, you don't need one."
A rule that came into force in September 2016 means you need a licence to legally use BBC iPlayer, even if you're only watching catch-up TV. But that does not apply to other catch-up services.
Mr Lewis, 54, adds: "As well as catch-up TV (apart from BBC iPlayer), you can also watch programmes and films online on any device without needing a TV licence – as long as it's not something that's being broadcast live or appearing on a TV channel at the same time as you're watching."
He clarifies: "For example, you don't need a licence for Netflix as all its content is on-demand, and you don't need a licence for Amazon Prime Video provided you only watch on-demand content, but you do if you choose to watch live sports or pay extra for one of its live add-on Prime Video Channels."
What counts as watching TV?
A TV licence is a legal requirement if you watch or record TV on any channel via any TV service (such as Sky, Virgin, Freeview, Freesat) OR watch live content on streaming services (e.g. ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Sky Go) OR use BBC iPlayer at all. If you don't do any of these, you don't need to sign up for one.
