The TV licence fee is set to increase from £169.50 to £174.50 a year, but there’s still an opportunity to check if you qualify for a free one. The hike, which represents an additional £5 annually or a 2.96% rise, will take effect from April next year.
Meanwhile, the cost of a black and white TV licence will also see an uptick from £57 to £58.50 per year, marking a £1.50 increase. After a two-year freeze in 2022 and 2023 by the previous Conservative government, the price cap was lifted this April, resulting in households having to fork out an extra £10.50 annually for their TV licence, reports the Mirror.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: “We welcome confirmation that the licence fee will increase in line with inflation next year. We want everyone to get value from the licence fee and we are committed to delivering trusted news, the best homegrown storytelling and those special moments that bring us together.”
They added, “We also look forward to the debate about the future and working with the Government to ensure sustainable, long-term public funding. As part of these discussions, we will run our biggest-ever public engagement exercise in 2025 so that audiences are at the heart of shaping our future.”
When do you need a TV licence?
Under existing legislation, a TV licence is required to watch or record live TV on any UK channel. This includes the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and Channel 5 and applies whether you’re watching live TV on a TV, PC, laptop, tablet, or phone.
A TV licence is also necessary if you use BBC iPlayer for any reason, even if it’s just for catch-up shows. However, you don’t need a TV licence to watch catch-up shows on services such as ITVX, All 4, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, and My5 – unless you’re watching live shows through these platforms.
The same applies to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and Now. Most TV series and films on these platforms aren’t broadcast live, so wouldn’t require a TV licence, but if you watch any live content on these services, for example, a football match on Amazon Prime, then you would need a TV licence.
Who qualifies for a free or cheap TV licence?
Anyone who claims Pension Credit, and is aged 75 and over, can get a free TV licence. Students living away from home may also be covered by their parents’ TV licence, but only if they’re watching TV on a device such as a phone, tablet or laptop computer.
You wouldn’t be covered if you’re watching on a television or desktop computer that is plugged into the mains.
If a member of your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you can receive a 50% discount on your TV licence fee. Alternatively, if you reside in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you might be eligible to apply for a concessionary TV licence, which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow. Both the individual and the accommodation must meet the necessary criteria.A TV licence is also necessary if you use BBC iPlayer for any reason, even if it’s just for catch-up shows. However, you don’t need a TV licence to watch catch-up shows on services such as ITVX, All 4, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, and My5 – unless you’re watching live shows through these platforms.
The same applies to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and Now. Most TV series and films on these platforms aren’t broadcast live, so wouldn’t require a TV licence, but if you watch any live content on these services, for example, a football match on Amazon Prime, then you would need a TV licence.
Who qualifies for a free or cheap TV licence?
Anyone who claims Pension Credit, and is aged 75 and over, can get a free TV licence. Students living away from home may also be covered by their parents’ TV licence, but only if they’re watching TV on a device such as a phone, tablet or laptop computer.
You wouldn’t be covered if you’re watching on a television or desktop computer that is plugged into the mains.
If a member of your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you can receive a 50% discount on your TV licence fee. Alternatively, if you reside in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you might be eligible to apply for a concessionary TV licence, which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.
Both the individual and the accommodation must meet the necessary criteria.