If you watch live television on YouTube, you are required to have a TV Licence, even if you hold a YouTube Premium subscription. This clarification comes from TV Licensing officials, who state that a Premium account does not replace the need for a licence.
When a TV Licence Is Needed for YouTube
According to TV Licensing, a licence is necessary when watching a TV programme live on YouTube. This includes live-streamed content that is part of a television broadcast or transmitted simultaneously by other means. However, user-generated content, clips, and videos on YouTube do not require a licence.
A YouTube Premium subscription provides ad-free videos, background play, and other perks, but it does not cover the legal requirement for a TV Licence when viewing live TV.
Cost of a TV Licence
As of April 1, 2026, a colour TV Licence costs £180 per year. A black-and-white TV Licence is £60.50 annually. The fee increased from the previous rate of £169.50 for colour and £57 for black-and-white.
What a TV Licence Covers
A TV Licence is not limited to BBC channels. It covers all live TV on any channel or service, including:
- BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave, and international channels
- Pay TV services like Sky, Virgin Media, and EE TV
- Live TV on streaming platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video
- Everything on BBC iPlayer
- Watching, recording, and downloading on any device
YouTube Premium and TV Licence
TV Licensing experts explain: "Paying for YouTube Premium on top of a TV Licence grants you access to a range of perks through the YouTube platform. These include ad-free videos and music, background play and a number of apps compatible with various devices. Having a TV Licence also enables you to legally watch live programmes on YouTube, letting you enjoy all the benefits of your Premium subscription."
Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime
TV Licensing confirms that a TV Licence is required to watch live programmes on Netflix, but not for on-demand content. Similarly, live programmes on Amazon Prime require a licence, while on-demand content does not. For Disney+, no licence is needed for on-demand programmes.
