A new survey reveals that a large percentage of UK adults don't understand the requirements of a TV Licence, potentially leading to unnecessary payments.
A staggering four in 10 people are unaware of what the TV licence actually covers, potentially leading to unnecessary payments. The cost of a full TV licence is currently £169.50 following an inflation increase in April, making it a significant yearly expense. It is therefore crucial to check if you really need one, particularly with another rise to £174.50 in 2025 and the cost-of-living crisis still hitting Brits hard.
The licence is mandatory for anyone who streams live TV or uses BBC iPlayer - and failure to pay can result in a hefty fine. However, a survey conducted earlier this year by FCA-regulated credit broker Viva Money revealed that an astonishing 43 per cent of UK adults don't fully understand what the TV licence involves. If your viewing is primarily on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or catch-up services (excluding BBC iPlayer), you might not need a licence at all. This could mean you're able to cancel your payment and potentially claim a refund, reports the Mirror. When do you need a TV licence? All UK households require a TV licence if they watch or record TV programmes as they're being broadcast. This rule applies to all programmes on any channel, from soaps and documentaries to films. Even if these programmes are broadcast live on a computer, laptop, tablet or phone, rather than a TV, you must have a licence to watch them. Additionally, households need a licence if they download or watch programmes broadcast on BBC iPlayer - whether it's live, catch up, or on demand. The licence also covers online TV services such as ITV Hub, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV or Sky Go. However, unlike with BBC iPlayer, a licence is not needed if a person only ever watches catch-up programmes on these TV services. If a household finds themselves only watching catch-up TV (not including BBC iPlayer), they won't need a TV licence - as long as they're not using the TV services to watch anything liv
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