Millions of households across the UK use streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. Many may wonder whether they still need to pay for a TV licence on top of their streaming subscriptions.
A standard TV Licence costs £180 a year. With many households struggling with the cost of living, you might ask whether you need to pay that fee at all if you only watch streaming services.
What the licence covers
According to the rules, it all comes down to what you watch on the streaming services you have. Essentially, your licence covers you for all TV channels like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels, as well as pay TV services like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV and everything on BBC iPlayer. This includes recording and downloading, on any device.
The licence also covers live TV on streaming services like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, this is "live TV". You don't need a licence to watch on-demand programmes.
Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus
If you are watching a TV programme that is being broadcast live on Netflix, you need to be covered by a licence. However, you don't need a TV Licence to watch on-demand programmes on Netflix.
Similar to Netflix, if you're watching TV showing live on Amazon Prime, you need to be covered by a licence. But you don't need one if you're only watching on-demand programmes on Amazon Prime. And you don't need a licence to watch on-demand programmes on Disney Plus either.
YouTube rules
If you are watching a programme live on YouTube, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. However, a licence is not required to view user-generated content, clips and videos on YouTube. This includes live streamed content that is not part of a television broadcast, or being broadcast at the same time by other means.
Cancellations and refunds
What if you no longer watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service or use BBC iPlayer? The TV Licensing website explains that you can cancel your licence and may be eligible for a refund if, before your licence expires, you won't be:
- watching TV on any channel, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
- watching TV on pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV
- watching live TV on streaming services, like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- using BBC iPlayer
