Today, the cost of a TV licence has increased in the UK – but before the change came into effect, many people rushed to cancel their subscriptions.
It was previously announced that on April 1 2025, the annual fee would be going up by an extra £5 from £169.50 to £174.50.
The money is used to pay for eight national TV channels plus regional TV services, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, 56 radio stations, the BBC website, BBC World Service and BBC apps.
‘This is a rise of just over 1p a day and is the second time the licence fee has increased since 1 April 2021,’ the TV licensing company said.
‘The Government decided that the licence fee would rise annually in line with annual CPI inflation from 1 April 2024 for the remaining four years of the Charter period. The BBC’s current Charter runs until the end of 2027.’
Although some viewers weren’t happy about it, it is legally required to have a TV licence if you watch live television – on any channel – or use BBC iPlayer.
Following the announced, some suggested that it should be scrapped altogether, or admitted that they were personally checking out.
Do you need a TV licence to watch anything on TV?
While a TV licence is required to watch live TV channels or streaming on BBC iPlayer, you don’t need it to watch absolutely all television.
That means that you can watch on other streaming platforms without the need for a licence, including Netflix, Disney Plus, ITVX and the Channel 4 streaming service.
If you watch any live TV on the platforms mentioned above, then you do need to have a TV licence to be able to watch the programmes legally.
If you live in a shared household, then you need to pay for your own TV licence if you have separate tenancy agreements to your housemates and you watch TV in your own room.
If you’re a student, you also need to have your own TV licence to watch TV in your room.
‘I will say it again as I think it is important. We need to scrap the BBC TV Licence Fee. Who is with me on this?’ wrote Jamie A on X, which led to some followers responding in agreement.
ElizaT56623 urged others to cancel: ‘We should defund the BBC. If I can live without watching iPlayer or any live TV broadcasts then I’m pretty sure you can too. It’s really easy to cancel your TV licence, I even got a refund!’
‘If there is ever a reason not to pay your TV licence this is it,’ wrote Ian and shared a short clip of David Tennant presenting the Baftas.
‘I don’t buy a TV licence, I don’t watch BBC, iPlayer or anything live on any channel or platform. After reading the tweets about the Baftas I think I’m allowed to say that I win,’ added Cheekypinot. While Sentinel called the TV licence fee ‘blatant robbery’.
‘High time the licence fee was scrapped,’ stated Louise Greenan.
Of course, not everyone feels this way and some people appreciate the BBC for providing TV that leads to major talking moments.
From light-hearted entertainment shows such as The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing to Panorama documentaries on important issues. They also can break rating records with their beloved comedies.
In January, there was more fury when it was revealed radical new measures were being considered by the UK government.
Ministers debated whether to extend the fee to all streaming platform users to plug the BBC funding gap, according to Bloomberg.
Not everyone has to pay the rising costs of the TV licence.
State pensioners aged over 74 and receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free TV licence, and discounts are also offered for the blind, as well as those who live in care homes or sheltered accommodation.
Further information is available on TV Licensing’s official website.
A version of this article was originally published on February 17.
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