The cost of a television (TV) licence rose earlier this year, but there is a possibility of receiving a refund. The current price for a TV licence is £174.50 annually, permitting the legal viewing of live TV or content on catch-up or via BBC iPlayer.
In case you no longer require your TV licence before it expires, you may qualify for a refund. For instance, if you are relocating to a residence where a TV licence is already held, you could be eligible. Typically, you are covered if the individual possessing the TV licence is your spouse, partner, family member, or joint tenant/mortgage holder.
Upon reaching 75 years of age and claiming Pension Credit, you are entitled to a free TV licence. Therefore, you can seek a refund for any remaining months post your 75th birthday. If you are moving to residential care or sheltered housing, you may also be eligible for a refund with a concessionary TV licence priced at £7.50 per room, flat, or bungalow.
Cancellation of your TV licence is feasible if you are relocating overseas. Additionally, if you no longer watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you can request a refund. A TV licence is unnecessary if you solely stream content on catch-up via services excluding BBC iPlayer like Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4, or My5.
However, a TV licence is required for watching live content through these platforms. The potential refund amount depends on the remaining duration of your existing TV licence, with a minimum of one month left to apply for a refund. To declare that you no longer require a TV licence, you can do so on the TV Licensing website, where payment options are monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
Failure to possess a TV licence while viewing programmes that mandate one could lead to fines of up to £1,000, or £2,000 in Guernsey, in addition to legal costs and potential compensation. The TV licence covers viewing on a regular TV set, laptop, computer, tablet, or phone.