Brits are being warned over a hefty penalty after Amazon recently dropped a long-awaited Fire TV Stick to finally rival Sky. Here’s how to dodge the fine, which could exceed £1,000
Brits making the most of the latest Fire TV Stick upgrade could find themselves in hot water with the law. The warning comes after the popular streaming device added the BBC to its ‘Live’ tab section.
As previously reported, Amazon’s ‘Live’ tab has been around since 2021 but only offered users the chance to scrawl through ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 programmes. However, following years of customer demand – Brits will be able to watch content from popular BBC platforms including BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, BBC Three, BBC CBBC, BBC CBeebies and BBC News. The upgrade should happen automatically and will require users to sign into their iPlayer account before they can start watching content from the broadcaster. However, doing so risks a hefty fine if you’re not currently paying for your TV Licence.
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Slated to increase from £169.50 a year to £174.50 in April this year, a TV Licence is a legal requirement for anyone who watches or records live TV, as well as to access content through the BBC iPlayer app. Those found watching the above styles of content without a TV Licence can be fined up to £1,000 (or £2,000 if you live in Guernsey. While you can’t be jailed for not paying your TV Licence, you do risk imprisonment for not paying fines imposed by the court. Dodging the annual fee may result in a visit from an ‘enquiry officer’; you can read our explainer on your rights to refuse entry here.
Currently, you do not need a TV Licence if you use your Fire TV Stick to watch non-BBC content and pre-recorded TV. For example, if you only binge-watch Friends on Netflix or the latest releases like Adolescence, you don’t actually need a TV Licence.
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Can I get a free TV Licence?
Thousands of Brits are eligible for a TV Licence but aren’t claiming their discount. This includes those aged over 75 who receive Pension Credit, or those living with a partner who receives Pension Credit. “You can apply when you’re 74 if you already get Pension Credit,’ GOV UK explain. “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.” Those living in residential care or sheltered accommodation who are retired, over 60, or disabled, can also claim a subsidised TV Licence for just £7.50. Similarly, if you’re registered blind or live with someone who is, you can get a 50 per cent discount.
Will the TV Licence soon become mandatory for everyone?
Following the broadcaster’s latest financial results, which revealed it had suffered an £80 million drop in revenue from swathes of Brits cancelling their subscription, major reforms to the BBC TV Licence have been discussed. Earlier this month, Chairman Samir Shah hinted the controversial fee could be merged into a major household bill.
Samir dismissed proposals to create a Netflix-style subscription model, stating it would not meet the BBC’s ‘key role to offer something for everyone in the country’. He also ruled out implementing adverts, or adopting a ‘hybrid licence’ where Brits would pay a smaller fee for basic TV services such as the news, but would then be charged a higher amount to access content such as entertainment. “Why should people who are poor pay the same as people in wealthy households?” Samir said, arguing that council tax bands or income tax bands could be used to create a ‘sliding scale’ for homeowners. “It gets rid of the enforcement issue, which is a problem. The idea that not paying the licence fee is a criminal offence seems too harsh.”
If you can part ways with BBC iPlayer and live TV, you can cancel your Licence fee here. Then, you can fill out a ‘no licence needed’ declaration form.
Do you think the TV Licence is good value for money? Let us know in the comments section below