Can I use BBC Bitesize without a TV Licence?
All BBC online content – including everything on Bitesize Daily Lessons – is available without a licence fee. I don't have broadband access, how can I access the service? All homes with a TV can access the Bitesize Daily programmes via the Red Button.
If you don't pay you could face a £1,000 fine
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.
They work by detecting the electromagnetic signature that your television gives off. They are so accurate that they can tell you where in the house the TV is, and they can indeed see the channel you are watching.
You don't need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to any device, including a TV, computer, laptop, phone, tablet, games console or digital box. Or let us know you don't need a TV Licence. Find out more about when you need a TV Licence.
Not paying for a TV Licence could lead to a £1,000* fine if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. Is it against the law to not have a TV Licence? You are breaking the law if you: watch or record TV on any channel via any TV service (e.g. Sky, Virgin, Freeview, Freesat)
A total of 1.96 million households said they did not watch the BBC or other live television in 2021-22, a rise of 270,000 on the previous year and equating to £42 million in lost revenue.
Nearly two million people stopped paying the BBC TV license fee last year, new figures have shown this week. The TV Licensing's annual report for 2021/2022 has shown that 1.96 million households across the UK stopped paying the fee last year, resulting in a £42 million loss in revenue for the broadcaster.
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office, "where the BBC still suspects that an occupier is watching live television but not paying for a licence, it can send a detection van to check whether this is the case.
Visiting officers. All our visiting officers have access to this database. This means they can check if you have a licence or not. If you tell us that you do not need a TV Licence, our officers may still visit you to confirm this.
Our Privacy Policy explains that we may use data collected from other parts of the BBC to establish if you are using BBC iPlayer. If you would like to see what BBC iPlayer use is associated with your BBC account, you can request a copy of your BBC account data using your BBC account sign in details.
Can TV Licensing 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.
You only need one TV Licence per household, even if you use more than one of the devices listed above. A TV Licence costs £159 for colour TV, and £53.50 for black and white. Find out about ways to pay. Need to update the details on your current TV Licence?
If you're 75 or over and you get Pension Credit, you can get a free TV licence. If you're blind or in residential care, you can get a discounted TV licence.
The BBC will have to make deep cuts to its programme budgets after the government said the broadcaster's funding would be frozen for the next two years, with the licence fee abolished completely in 2027.
Watching online
You don't need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to any device, including a TV, computer, laptop, phone, tablet, games console or digital box.
Around 94 per cent of homes are correctly licensed, meaning evasion is at a low level of around six per cent and has been around this level for the last five years. There are many ways to pay for your licence and TV Licensing make every effort to help people pay.
The TV Licence evasion rate in England and Wales was around 6%. The chart below shows the number of prosecutions and convictions for TV Licence evasion since 2010. In 2020, there were 55,061 prosecutions and 52,477 convictions for TV Licence evasion. Of the 52,477 convicted, 39,742 were women (76%).
Money raised from the licence fee pays for BBC shows and services - including TV, radio, the BBC website, podcasts, iPlayer and apps. Almost £3.7bn was raised by the licence fee in 2019, accounting for about 76% of the BBC's total income of £4.9bn.
The income from the TV licence fee means all licence payers can enjoy an ever wider choice of BBC programmes and services on TV, radio and online, including: Nine national TV channels plus regional TV services. Radio stations - 10 pan-UK, six national and 40 local.
There are a number of ways we can find out. At the heart of our operation is the TV Licensing database of approximately 31 million home and business addresses, telling us which of these have TV Licences. All of our visiting officers have access to this database and will check whether or not you have a licence.
Can BBC see 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 I be prosecuted for watching BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer without a TV Licence? Yes. The maximum penalty is a £1,000* fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming service that offers live and catch up TV from all of BBC's channels. This includes BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, cBBC, BBC News, and Radio 1. BBC iPlayer is exclusively available to UK residents.
BBC iPlayer is a free service, but your mobile operator may charge for the data you use on their network.
If a TV Licensing officer calls to your house, you do not have to let them inside. They do have the power to go to the police and get a search warrant to get inside but without a warrant you do not have to allow entry.
TV Licensing is only allowed to physically check your TV and TV recording equipment, not any computers or mobile phones but they will take note if any computers are attached to a live TV feed such as a TV aerial. You may be requested to turn on your television. If you refuse then TVL will likely attempt it themselves.
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). They will only do this when they have reason to believe an offence is being committed.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries today announced the fee will remain at £159 until 2024 and then rise in line with inflation for the following four years. The plans for the new licence fee settlement cover a period of six years and will take effect from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2028.
The Government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee, and announced in January 2022 that it would remain unchanged at £159 for two years, followed by annual rises in line with inflation for four years from 1 April 2024.
Pay monthly - from £13.25
We'll spread the cost of your first Direct Debit licence over six months, at around £26.50 a month. From then on you'll pay around £13.25 a month.
How much is the BBC TV Licence?
A TV Licence costs £159 per year. You can pay this in one go, but most people choose to spread the cost by Direct Debit.
Yes. Everyone who watches broadcast TV in the UK must have an annual television licence, whatever TV service they use.
Watching online
You don't need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to any device, including a TV, computer, laptop, phone, tablet, games console or digital box.
BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework! Bitesize provides support for learners aged 5 to 16+ across a wide range of school subjects.
Student halls – you'll need to be covered by a licence to watch TV in your room. House or flat share with separate tenancy agreement – you'll need to be covered by your own licence. Property with joint tenancy – you'll need one licence to cover the whole place.
Our Privacy Policy explains that we may use data collected from other parts of the BBC to establish if you are using BBC iPlayer. If you would like to see what BBC iPlayer use is associated with your BBC account, you can request a copy of your BBC account data using your BBC account sign in details.
In what circumstances can TV Licensing access my property without my permission? 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).
It doesn't matter what device you use. If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This includes: TV sets (including smart TVs)
BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework! Bitesize provides support for learners aged 5 to 16+ across a wide range of school subjects.
BBC Learning English is available for free in the Android and iOS. Learners can access a wide range of series that will help them keep up with their English and improve it at the same time.
How trustworthy is BBC Bitesize?
The information in books for children can be trusted. This is because they are written and checked by experts . The facts are true and there aren't any spelling mistakes.
They will only do this when they have reason to believe an offence is being committed. TV Licensing will be accompanied by the police when executing a search warrant.
Q: MAY ONE USE SOMEONE ELSE'S TV LICENCE TO PURCHASE A TELEVISION SET? A: NO – one needs one's own licence, unless one is a family member of a licence holder.
You do not need a TV licence to watch television on your computer, phone or other device (for example, RTÉ Player or streaming services like Netflix).