Brits are being warned of a eye-watering fine if they watch live TV on streaming sites like Netflix, where they are legally required to pay for the BBC TV Licence fee
Netflix subscribers have been warned over a hefty fine of up to £1,000. Most of us have ditched scheduled TV for the convenience and ease of a smart TV, one allows us to binge-watch entire series in one sitting – and re-watch our favourite films over and over again. Sites like Netflix, Disney+, Paramount Plus, and Prime Video all charge a monthly fee to access their content – but contrary to popular belief, this automatically exempt from buying a TV Licence.
The BBC TV Licence Fee is increasing by £5 next April to £174.50 per annum, and applies to anyone who records or watched live TV – even on streaming sites like Netflix. You also need a TV Licence to access any content on BBC iPlayer, even if it’s not live.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?
If you strictly watch on demand TV shows and films on Netflix, you do not need to pay for the TV Licence. For example, if you strictly watch re-runs of Friends or Bridgeton , you don’t need to pay the annual cost – but if you watch live TV (like last month’s boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson) you’re legally obliged to have a TV Licence. The same goes for streaming sites including YouTube, where watching live programmes (such as Sky News) means you need a TV Licence.
If you’re found watching live TV on Netflix without a TV Licence, you can end up with a fine of up to £1,000 – or £2,000 if you live in Guernsey. You can’t be jailed for not paying your TV Licence, but do risk imprisonment for not paying fines imposed by the court, and judges may approve of a warrant allowing an officer to enter your home.
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Can I get a free TV Licence?
If you’re aged 75 or over and are in receipt of Pension Credits, or you live with a partner who gets Pension Credit, you are eligible for a completely free TV Licence. Those living in care or sheltered accommodation and are retired and over 60 or disabled are also eligible for a heavily discounted TV Licence (£7.50 per annum); while if you’re registered blind or live with someone who is – you can get a 50 per cent discount.
If you’re considering cancelling your TV Licence, it’s important to know your legal rights, as you may have an officer knocking on your door. You can read our full explainer here.
Is the BBC TV Licence good value for money? Have your say in the comments section below