The television licence fee is set to increase to £180 per year from April 2026, as confirmed by the government. The rise, part of the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, aligns with inflation and aims to provide the BBC with stable funding. The current fee is £169.50, with the new rate applying to colour licences; black-and-white licences remain at £60.50.
Not everyone must pay the full fee. Households with someone aged 74 or over who claims Pension Credit can get a free licence. Those in care homes or sheltered accommodation may qualify for a reduced fee of £7.50, while people registered blind (severely sight impaired) receive a 50% discount, reducing the cost to £90.
Students do not get a discount on the licence fee, but they can apply for a refund for any unused months at the end of the academic year. Payment can be spread via Direct Debit, typically £15 per month, though the first six months require higher payments of around £30 per month. Other payment options are available.
Failure to pay when required can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 (or £2,000 in Guernsey), plus legal costs and compensation. TV Licensing may visit addresses to check compliance. The fee covers all TV channels, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video for live TV, as well as BBC iPlayer.
