The BBC licence fee is scheduled to increase shortly, according to an announcement by the Department for Media, Culture, and Sport. As of April 1, the annual cost of the TV licence will go up to £180.
Presently, a TV licence costs £174.50 per year and is necessary for watching or recording live TV programs on any device like a TV, PC, laptop, tablet, or phone.
A TV licence is also required for viewing any content on BBC iPlayer, whether live or on catch-up. However, it is not mandatory if watching catch-up on other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4, or My5.
Failure to have a TV licence when watching live TV via these services may lead to a potential £1,000 fine. In 2023/24, the licence fee contributed to 68% of BBC funding, with the total BBC income reaching £5.39 billion that year.
Individuals eligible for Pension Credit and aged 75 or above qualify for a free TV licence. Students living away from home may be covered if their parents possess a TV licence, but only when watching on devices like phones, tablets, or laptops.
Not covered are those watching on a TV or desktop computer connected to the mains. If someone in the household is blind or severely sight-impaired, a 50% discount on the TV licence fee is applicable.
Residents of care homes or sheltered accommodation may be eligible for a concessionary TV licence priced at £7.50 per room, flat, or bungalow, provided both the individual and the accommodation meet the criteria.
The TV licence fee typically increases annually in April, following the previous September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate. The latest announcement confirms a rise to £180 from April 1, following a confirmed 3.8% inflation rate in September.
After the increase, the annual cost of a color TV licence will be £5.50 higher, equivalent to an additional 46p per month.