TV Licensing confirms you don't need a licence for gaming or DVDs, but live TV streaming and BBC iPlayer still require one.
TV Licensing says you don't need a licence for gaming or DVDs, provided you never watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer. The annual cost for a colour TV licence is £180, while a black-and-white licence costs £60.50 following a price rise on April 1, 2026.
Do I need a TV Licence for gaming and DVDs?
TV Licensing states: "No. You don’t need a TV Licence if you only use your TV for gaming or DVDs. That’s as long as you never watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer. On any device. A licence is not needed to watch S4C programmes on demand."
Do I need a TV Licence for Netflix?
You need a licence if you watch a TV programme live on Netflix. If you only stream shows and films on demand, you don't need one.
Do I need a TV Licence for Amazon Prime?
The same rule applies: you need a licence if watching something live on Prime; on-demand viewing does not require one.
Do I need a TV Licence for Disney+?
TV Licensing says: "You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on-demand programmes on Disney Plus."
Do I need a TV Licence for YouTube?
TV Licensing guidance: "If you are watching a TV programme live on YouTube, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. 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."
What are the penalties for not having a licence?
If you need a licence and don't have one, you could face enforcement action. TV Licensing warns: "You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay. The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey."
