A staggering four in 10 people are unaware of what the TV licence actually covers, potentially leading to unnecessary payments. The cost of a full TV licence is currently £169.50 following an inflation increase in April, making it a significant yearly expense.
It is therefore crucial to check if you really need one, particularly with another rise to £174.50 in 2025 and the cost-of-living crisis still hitting Brits hard. The licence is mandatory for anyone who streams live TV or uses BBC iPlayer – and failure to pay can result in a hefty fine.
However, a survey conducted earlier this year by FCA-regulated credit broker Viva Money revealed that an astonishing 43 per cent of UK adults don’t fully understand what the TV licence involves.
If your viewing is primarily on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or catch-up services (excluding BBC iPlayer), you might not need a licence at all. This could mean you’re able to cancel your payment and potentially claim a refund, reports the Mirror.
When do you need a TV licence?
All UK households require a TV licence if they watch or record TV programmes as they’re being broadcast. This rule applies to all programmes on any channel, from soaps and documentaries to films. Even if these programmes are broadcast live on a computer, laptop, tablet or phone, rather than a TV, you must have a licence to watch them.
Additionally, households need a licence if they download or watch programmes broadcast on BBC iPlayer – whether it’s live, catch up, or on demand. The licence also covers online TV services such as ITV Hub, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV or Sky Go. However, unlike with BBC iPlayer, a licence is not needed if a person only ever watches catch-up programmes on these TV services.
If a household finds themselves only watching catch-up TV (not including BBC iPlayer), they won’t need a TV licence – as long as they’re not using the TV services to watch anything live. Households also don’t need a TV licence to watch certain streaming services, like Netflix, YouTube or Disney+.
How can you cancel your TV licence?
For those considering ditching their TV licence, it’s vital to be sure everyone in the same household follows the rules. If everyone is certain that they no longer need one, they can inform TV Licensing by completing the ‘refund and cancellation request’ form.
TV Licensing may then pay a visit to the address to confirm if the decision is correct. It says these inspections find one in five households do end up needing one.
If a licence is needed, the household will have to pay the full licence fee and may risk prosecution and a fine. Fines vary depending on location and can see people in the UK mainland face a penalty charge of up to £1,000, while those in Guernsey and Jersey could face fines of up to £2,000 and £500, respectively.
How can you request a TV licence refund?
Brits can request a TV licence refund if they won’t need their licence again before it expires, and they have at least one complete month left on it. The specific circumstances in which refunds are typically considered include:
- TV receiving equipment is no longer in use
- The address is covered by another licence
- The TV licence was bought in error
- A replacement TV licence has been bought
- Blind concession refunds
- Refunds in consequence of a free TV licence application
- The death of the licence holder
According to the TV Licensing website, Brits can apply for a refund up to 14 days before they no longer need their TV licence. If the licence has already expired, they may still be eligible for a refund, provided less than two years have passed since the expiry date.
To apply, individuals must complete a short form and may need to provide evidence showing they no longer require the licence.
TV Licensing will review the application, determine eligibility, and calculate the refund amount, which is typically based on full unused months. Refunds are issued via cheque or direct deposit. To check their licence expiry date, Brits can sign into their online account.
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