TV licence rules explained as Netflix viewers could be facing £1,000 fine next month
Live events are becoming more common on Netflix
GETTY
Millions of Netflix customers in the UK could be facing a £1,000 fine for breaching TV Licensing rules next month.
Every household in the UK is legally required to have a TV licence if they watch or record live TV, regardless of what channel it is on, however as streaming platforms evolve, Britons may be caught out.
Under UK law, watching all TV channels such as BBC and ITV, all pay TV services such as Sky and Virgin Media, all content on BBC iPlayer, and live sports on services such as Amazon Prime Video or Now TV requires people to pay the annual licence fee.
The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence rose to £169.50 on April 1 - an increase of £10.50 on the previous price of £159 a year.
Britons watching on-demand programmes on subscription services like Netflix and Disney+ do not usually need a TV licence, however, live events on these platforms are becoming more common.
Netflix has previously aired a live Chris Rock comedy special, a golf tournament featuring Formula One stars and PGA Tour pros, and an exhibition tennis match between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Every household in the UK is legally required to have a TV licence if they watch or record live TV,
BBC PRESS OFFICEThese are just the first of live events being shown as Netflix is gearing up for a high-profile boxing match between Youtuber Jake Paul and former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson next month. Customers viewing the fight on Netflix will surely be required to have a TV licence to tune in.
The Licencing agency explains that if someone is watching a TV programme live on Netflix, they need to be covered by a TV Licence.
The number of households in the United Kingdom subscribing to Netflix amounted to 17.1 million in the second quarter of 2024, up from 16.5 million in the same period of the previous year.
Millions are warned that if they wish to watch the fight on the streaming platform, they will need to get a TV licence.
The much-anticipated July 20 heavyweight fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was rescheduled to next month after Tyson had to pause his training on doctor’s orders after an ulcer flare-up.
The live event will begin streaming on Netflix at 8pm ET/5pm PT on November 15.
Britons do not need a TV Licence to watch:
- streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
- on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
- videos on websites like YouTube
- videos or DVDs
The majority of Netflix’s content remains exempt from the TV Licence fee, as long as it is not being broadcast live.
Britons do need a TV Licence if they:
- watch or record live TV on any channel or service
- use BBC iPlayer
Watching 'live TV' without a licence is against the law.
TV Licensing has enforcement officers that carry out checks.
Fee dodgers can face prosecution plus a fine of up to £1,000 (up to £2,000 if you live in Guernsey) if they're found to be watching 'live TV' or BBC iPlayer without a licence.
Britons cannot be imprisoned for TV licence evasion in itself, although they can be imprisoned for non-payment of a fine imposed by the court.
The TV Licence fee and any concessions are set in law by the Government.
There are concessions available for:
- People who are aged 75 or over and receive Pension Credit.
- People who are blind (severely sight impaired).
- People who live in qualifying residential care and are disabled or over 60 and retired.
- For businesses that provide units of overnight accommodation, for example, hotels and mobile units.