What BBC subscription actually costs and covers

The BBC does not sell a subscription in the way Netflix or Amazon Prime does. Instead, you pay a television licence fee — a mandatory annual charge that funds all BBC services across TV, radio, and online. As of 2024, the standard licence costs £159.50 per year in the UK, though the exact amount changes periodically and varies by household type.

The licence covers live and on-demand access to BBC channels (BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, and BBC News), BBC iPlayer (the streaming service), BBC Sounds (radio and podcasts), and BBC Online. You do not pay extra per channel or per show. One licence covers everyone in a single household, regardless of how many people live there or how many devices they use.

If you do not pay the licence fee, you cannot legally watch or record any BBC channel on any device at the moment it is broadcast, or use BBC iPlayer at all. Watching on-demand content after broadcast also requires a valid licence. Listening to BBC radio does not require a licence, and neither does reading BBC Online news and articles.

Key Takeaways

  • The television licence is a legal requirement in the UK if you watch or record any BBC channel at the time of broadcast, or use BBC iPlayer for on-demand content.
  • One licence per household costs £159.50 per year and covers all BBC services for everyone in that home on any device.
  • You must buy a licence before you watch — watching without one is a criminal offence that can result in a fine up to £1,000.
  • Licences are sold and enforced by TV Licensing, a separate organisation that handles payment, renewal, and compliance checks.
  • Exemptions exist for people over 75, those on certain benefits, and people in care homes, but you must register to claim them.

Who has to pay and who does not

Anyone in a UK household who watches or records BBC channels as they are broadcast must have a valid licence. This includes watching on any device — television, computer, tablet, or phone — and it applies whether you are the person paying the bills or a guest. If you live in a shared house or halls of residence, each household unit needs its own licence.

Several groups do not have to pay. People aged 75 and over are exempt if they register with TV Licensing. People receiving Pension Credit are also exempt. Those living in care homes, residential accommodation for people with disabilities, and some other institutional settings may be covered under a single licence. Students living in halls of residence provided by their university are usually covered by the university's licence, but students in private rented accommodation need their own.

If you do not watch or record BBC channels at the time they broadcast, and you do not use BBC iPlayer, you do not need a licence. This means you can watch other channels (ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, etc.) without one, and you can watch BBC content on other platforms like YouTube or BritBox if it has been uploaded there separately. The key distinction is the moment of broadcast and BBC iPlayer specifically.

How to buy a licence and what happens if you do not

Licences are sold through TV Licensing, a separate organisation that handles all sales, renewals, and enforcement on behalf of the BBC. You can buy a licence online at tvlicensing.co.uk, by phone, or by post. Payment options include a single lump sum, monthly direct debit, or quarterly payments. The process takes a few minutes and you receive a licence number immediately; the physical licence arrives by post within a few days.

If you watch BBC content without a valid licence, TV Licensing can issue a Compliance Notice requiring you to buy one within a set period. If you ignore this, they can take you to court. A conviction for watching without a licence can result in a fine up to £1,000. TV Licensing uses detector vans and data from energy companies to identify households that may not have a licence, though the detector van technology's accuracy is disputed.

If you receive a notice from TV Licensing, you have the right to refuse entry to your home without a warrant. You do not have to answer questions about your viewing habits. If you believe you do not need a licence (for example, because you only watch on-demand content from other channels), you can tell TV Licensing this in writing, and they must investigate before taking further action.

Renewing your licence and changing your details

Licences last for 12 months from the date you buy them. TV Licensing sends a renewal reminder about a month before your licence expires. You can renew online, by phone, or by post using the same methods as buying a new one. If you renew before your current licence expires, the new one starts immediately after the old one ends, so there is no gap in cover.

If you move house, you must tell TV Licensing your new address. You can do this online or by phone. Your existing licence does not transfer to a new property — you need a new licence for the new address, even if you move within the same town. If you move and do not update your details, TV Licensing may send enforcement notices to the old address, and you could be at risk of prosecution for the new occupants' viewing.

If your circumstances change — for example, you turn 75 and become exempt, or you move into a care home — you should update TV Licensing immediately. If you are now exempt, you can cancel your licence and claim a refund for any remaining months. If you are no longer exempt, you must buy a new licence before you watch BBC content again.

Exemptions and refunds

If you are over 75, you can register for a free licence. You must apply through TV Licensing; the exemption does not happen automatically. You will need proof of age (a passport, driving licence, or birth certificate) and your National Insurance number. The free licence lasts for life once granted, but you must renew your registration every three years to confirm you still live at the same address.

If you receive Pension Credit (the means-tested benefit for people over 60), you are exempt from paying. You must register this exemption with TV Licensing and provide proof of your Pension Credit award. If your Pension Credit ends, your exemption ends too, and you must buy a licence before watching BBC content again.

If you have paid for a licence and your circumstances change — for example, you become exempt or you move abroad — you can request a refund for the unused portion. Refunds are calculated on a daily basis. You must request the refund within a certain timeframe; TV Licensing's terms set out the exact deadline, so contact them as soon as your situation changes.

Using BBC iPlayer and what you can watch

BBC iPlayer is the BBC's streaming service, available online and through apps on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and computers. You can watch live BBC channels and on-demand programmes that have been broadcast in the last 30 days (or longer for some content). You can also download programmes to watch offline. All of this requires a valid television licence.

When you use BBC iPlayer, you must sign in with a username and password. You do not need to enter your licence number every time, but BBC iPlayer uses your address to check that a valid licence is registered to your household. If there is no valid licence at that address, you will be blocked from watching.

Some BBC content is available on other platforms — YouTube, BritBox, or the BBC's own website — without requiring a licence, because it is not broadcast on BBC channels and is not on BBC iPlayer. However, if you are watching a programme on BBC iPlayer or at the moment it airs on a BBC channel, you need a licence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence if I only watch BBC iPlayer on-demand?

Yes. A licence is required for any use of BBC iPlayer, whether you are watching live or on-demand. The only exception is if you watch BBC content that has been uploaded to other platforms like YouTube by the BBC itself, but this is rare and usually only applies to clips or specially released content, not full programmes.

What if I live with other people — do we each need a licence?

No. One licence covers everyone in a single household, including family members, housemates, and guests. A household is defined as people living at the same address. If you live in halls of residence, your university usually holds a single licence that covers all students; check with your accommodation office.

Can I watch BBC channels on other devices if I have a licence at home?

Yes, but only if you are in the UK. A licence covers you to watch BBC channels and BBC iPlayer anywhere within the UK on any device. If you travel abroad, you cannot watch BBC iPlayer or live BBC channels outside the UK, even with a valid licence. Some on-demand content may be available through other services in other countries.

What happens if TV Licensing comes to my door?

You do not have to let them in without a warrant. You can refuse entry and close the door. If they have a warrant, they can enter, but this is rare and requires a court order. If you receive a Compliance Notice, read it carefully — it will tell you what to do next and what your rights are. You can respond in writing or contact TV Licensing to discuss your situation.

Can I get a refund if I move abroad?

Yes. If you move outside the UK permanently, you can cancel your licence and receive a refund for any unused months. You must provide proof of your move (such as a change of address confirmation or proof of residence abroad). Contact TV Licensing to start the process as soon as you know you are leaving.