The government has announced that the TV licence’s price will be increased for the first time in seven years, starting from 1st April.
The cost of a TV licence will go up from 1st April and the plans mean the fee will now increase annually in line with inflation for the next five years.
Following the government’s announcement, it will now cost £147.00 per year for a colour TV licence.
Previously, the price for a colour licence had remained the same for seven years at £145.50 and for a black and white TV the annual cost is £49.00.
In some cases, you may be entitled to a reduced fee, for example if you’re aged over 74 or you are a resident in a care home.
You can pay for your licence all in one go or spread the cost.
Watching TV without a licence a criminal offence and if you are caught without one you could be fined up to £1000.
TV licensing laws brought in last September mean that you still need a licence to watch or download BBC programmes on-demand – including catch-up TV and shows on iPlayer.
If you already have a licence you are covered to download or watch BBC programmes on demand or on iPlayer.
Those who do not watch or record live TV – with the exception of BBC iPlayer – do not need to have a licence.
This means that if you want to enjoy other on demand services like the ITV Hub, Now TV and All4 you don’t need to pay anything. You can also watch providers like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.
A spokeswoman from TV Licensing told the Mirror Online: “Whatever device you are using and however you’re watching, you need to be licensed to watch programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, or live on an online TV service.”
Although the official TV licensing website claims that students do need a licence to use BBC iPlayer, a loophole has been discovered which reveals that they don’t always have to pay after all.
Students need not pay anything for on demand shows because they can be covered by their parents’ licence.
An official press release on the official TV licensing website reads: “In limited circumstances, students can be covered by the licence at their parents’ address.
“The device must be powered by its own internal batteries – e.g. a tablet or mobile phone – and must not be plugged into the mains when receiving television”.
If you have a business that relies on catch-up or on-demand TV then a licence is necessary.
