UK households who watch live television on Amazon Prime without a TV Licence could be fined up to £1,000, according to TV Licensing guidance. Many people assume that paying for Amazon Prime covers them to watch whatever they like, but this is not always the case.
When a TV Licence is needed for Amazon Prime
TV Licensing states: "If you’re watching TV showing live on Amazon Prime, you need to be covered by a TV Licence." It also confirms: "You don’t need a TV Licence if you’re only watching on-demand programmes on Amazon Prime."
People may assume a TV Licence isn’t needed if they pay for Prime, but the subscription fee only covers access to Prime perks—such as free one-day delivery, on-demand streaming through Prime Video and Prime Music, and additional discounts. Paying for Amazon and a TV Licence "means you can legally watch live programmes on Amazon Prime, so you can make the most of everything included with your subscription", TV Licensing confirms.
TV Licence costs in 2026
The TV Licence fee changed on April 1, 2026. A colour licence now costs £180, while a black-and-white licence costs £60.50. If you are blind (severely sight impaired), you can still apply for a 50% concession, reducing the cost of a colour licence to £90.
Penalties for not paying
TV Licensing says it may visit your address to check whether you need a TV Licence. If it is found that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes without the correct licence, you could face prosecution. You could also face a fine of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and/or compensation the court orders. In Guernsey, the maximum fine is £2,000, with legal costs and/or compensation potentially added on top.
