The rules surrounding a TV Licence can be confusing, and many people may be unknowingly breaking them by simply watching their everyday shows. The fee increased in April 2026, and officials at TV Licensing have clarified that you may need to pay if you watch channels such as ITV, Channel 5, Sky, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.
According to TV Licensing: "You can watch on-demand programmes on all catch-up services, excluding BBC iPlayer, like ITVX and All 4, without a TV Licence. You need a TV Licence to watch or stream live TV on any streaming platform, channel or device."
What Can You Watch Without a TV Licence?
If you do not have a TV Licence, you can legally watch:
- Catch-up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer, such as ITVX, All4, and My5
- On-demand films or TV shows that you watch, rent, or buy online from providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky, EE TV, Apple TV+, Disney+, or Now
- S4C programmes on demand
- DVDs or Blu-rays
- YouTube streamers' videos or clips, whether live or recorded
What Can You Watch With a TV Licence?
If you do have a TV Licence, you can watch all of the above, as well as:
- Live TV on all free channels, including BBC One, ITV2, and Sky News
- Live TV on any channels included in a package you pay for, like Virgin, EE TV, or Sky
- Everything on BBC iPlayer, including award-winning British TV dramas and thousands of other boxsets exclusive to BBC iPlayer
- Live sporting events, such as the Rugby World Cup, UEFA Euros, and the Olympics
- Other memorable live events, like the King's speech, Royal weddings, Glastonbury, and the Eurovision Song Contest
- Live streams of programmes, news, or sport on services like ITVX, Sky, YouTube, or Netflix
TV Licensing adds: "With a TV Licence, you can watch all of the above on any device."
Can I Watch ITV Without a TV Licence?
You need a TV Licence to watch any live TV channel, including ITV. However, you can watch on-demand programmes on ITVX without one.
Is YouTube Premium Worth It If I Already Pay for a TV Licence?
TV Licensing experts state: "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."
Do I Need a TV Licence to Watch Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime?
TV Licensing confirms that you need a TV Licence to watch live programmes on Netflix. You do not need a TV Licence to watch Netflix on-demand content. Similarly, you need a TV Licence to watch live programmes on Amazon Prime, but not for on-demand content. Regarding Disney+, they confirm: "You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Disney Plus."
