If you are watching TV, then you need to be covered by a TV licence.
This applies if you are:
- Watching or recording programmes at the time they are being shown on TV
- Watching or recording programmes live on an online TV service
- Downloading or watching BBC programmes on demand, including catch-up TV and the BBC iPlayer. This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, or games console.
How do I know if I need a TV licence?
- If you live in halls of residence, you’ll need to be covered by a licence to watch TV in your room
- If you live in a house or flat share with your own, separate tenancy agreement, you’ll need to be covered by your own licence
- If you live in a house or flat share with a joint tenancy, you’ll need one licence to cover the whole property.
There are multiple ways to pay for a TV licence:
- Pay in one go: You’ll make a single payment of £174.50 every 12 months.
- Pay every three months: You’ll make four payments of £44.89 (includes a £1.25 charge) over the year.
- Pay monthly: You’ll spread the cost of your first TV licence by paying £29.10 a month for six months. After that, you’ll pay £14.54 a month.
More information is on the TV Licensing website.