The BBC licence fee is slated to increase very soon, with the Department for Media, Culture and Sport confirming that the annual TV licence fee will jump to £180 starting from April 1.
Currently, the TV licence costs £174.50 per year, a mandatory requirement for viewing or recording live TV programs on any device, including TVs, PCs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
Possessing a TV licence is essential for watching any content on BBC iPlayer, whether live or on catch-up. However, it is not necessary for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4, or My5, except when viewing live broadcasts.
Failure to have a TV licence while watching live TV can result in a potential fine of up to £1,000. In 2023/24, the licence fee constituted 68% of the BBC’s funding, with the total income for the BBC in the same period amounting to £5.39 billion.
Individuals aged 75 and above who claim Pension Credit are eligible for a free TV licence, while students living away from home may be covered under their parents’ licence if watching on specific devices like phones, tablets, or laptops.
However, watching on a plugged-in TV or desktop computer does not qualify for coverage. Additionally, individuals who are blind or severely sight-impaired are entitled to a 50% discount on their TV licence.
Residents in care homes or sheltered accommodations may apply for a concessionary TV licence priced at £7.50 per room, flat, or bungalow, subject to eligibility criteria.
The TV licence fee usually increases annually in April, aligned with the previous September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate. Following the confirmation of a 3.8% inflation rate in September, the TV licence fee will rise to £180 from April 1, with an annual colour TV licence costing £5.50 more per year post-increase, equivalent to an additional 46p per month.
