What channels can I watch without a TV Licence?

Without a licence, you can legally watch:

Netflix.
YouTube.
Amazon Prime.
DVDs/Blurays.
Non-BBC catch-up including ITV Player, Channel 4 on-demand, as long as it's NOT live.

What am I allowed to watch without a TV Licence?

You only need a licence if you actually watch live television, or use BBC iPlayer. So, if you've got an aerial, a satellite dish, a television set or anything like that, but you don't actually watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, you don't need a licence.

Can I watch Freeview without a TV Licence?

You need a TV Licence to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use, including: Freeview, Freesat or YouView. Sky, Virgin Media or BT TV.

How can I avoid paying my TV Licence?

You don't need a TV Licence if you never watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV, on any channel, or live on an online TV service, and you never download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

What channels require TV license?

What does your TV Licence fee pay for?

Nine national TV channels plus regional TV services.
Radio stations - 10 pan-UK, six national and 40 local.
BBC website - including News, Sport, Weather, CBeebies, CBBC, Food, Bitesize, Arts, BBC Three.

25 related questions found

Can I watch Sky without a TV Licence?

You need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, no matter where they are broadcast or distributed from. This includes satellite or online streamed programmes from outside the UK or Channel Islands, such as sporting events and foreign shows.

Can you watch Netflix without a TV Licence?

Can I watch Netflix without a TV Licence? You don't need a TV Licence if you only ever use Netflix or other online TV services to watch on demand or catch up programmes, except if you're watching BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

Do you have to let TV Licence inspectors in?

Can TV licence inspectors visit your house? Inspectors can visit your house, although you're likely to receive a letter before this point. You can refuse to let an inspector in, but this might lead to them getting a court order – which means they would be allowed to enter by law without your permission.

Can TV Licence enter your home?

TV Licensing can only enter your home without your permission if authorised to do so under a search warrant granted by a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland). TV Licensing may also apply to a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland) for a search warrant.

How can TV Licensing prove you are watching TV 2020?

There has never been a case in court where the TV license officer has produce evidence from any mythical detection device to prove you had a TV. The only way is for the license officer to photograph your property with some thing distinctive identifying your house and showing a TV on in your lounge.

Can you watch Amazon Prime without a TV Licence?

TV Licensing

Subscribers to Amazon's Prime Video service will need to be covered by a TV Licence if they choose to pay for watching live TV services now offered by the entertainment platform. Amazon announced this week it will offer live television channels for the first time in Europe and the UK.

Why do I need a TV Licence to watch ITV?

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to: watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV, on any channel. watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.) download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch Channel 4?

You do need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch any TV channel on any device at the same time as it is being broadcast on TV. This includes watching live TV on devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone, smart phone or tablet.

Can you use your TV Licence anywhere?

If you're using a mobile device powered solely by its own internal batteries – like a smartphone, tablet or laptop – you will be covered by your home's TV Licence, wherever you're using it in the UK and Channel Islands.

Can the BBC track your IP address?

We collect some information automatically. Things like your IP address, which browser and device you're using, or your device ID. And we can tell what webpage directed you to the BBC by looking at information from your browser.

Can BBC tell if you use iPlayer?

No, the BBC can't drive up your street and sense that you're using iPlayer. And it probably never could tell if you were watching TV.

Can TV Licence get a warrant?

TV Licence Inspectors have no right of entry into a person's home without a search warrant issued by a magistrate. Warrants are rarely issued to TVL, so unless an inspector claims to be in possession a warrant and can produce the genuine article, they have no power of entry.

Can I watch BBC iPlayer without a TV Licence?

Yes. You must be covered by a TV Licence (including a free over 75 licence) to download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use.

Can I watch My5 without a TV Licence?

The rules around TV licencing do not apply to other TV catch-up services. You can watch ITV Player, All4 and My5 without a TV licence – as long as you're not using them to watch live TV.

Do you need TV Licence for YouTube?

You don't need a TV Licence to watch videos or clips on demand on YouTube. But you DO need a TV Licence if you watch TV programmes live on YouTube. An example of this would be watching Sky News live.

Does my TV Licence cover me at another address?

The short answer is- fortunately- no! Your TV licence covers you wherever you go, so there is no need to request a second one. However, if you own a second home (for example, a holiday house) you will be obligated to buy a second TV licence for this address.