Thousands of people across the UK could be entitled to a free or discounted TV licence. All households in the UK must have a TV licence if they watch or record TV as it is being broadcast – even if it is not on a TV and on another device such as a phone or tablet.
It covers you for TV channels such as ITV and Channel 4, as well as paid for channels including Sky, Virgin and EE TV. If you watch live TV on streaming services such as YouTube or Amazon Prime, you will also need a TV licence.
You will not need a TV licence if you only ever watch catch-up on these channels. But you will have to make sure you have a valid licence if you watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer – whether that is live, catch up, or on demand.
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Currently, a TV licence costs £169.50 a year. But it will rise by £5 to £174.50 from April 1, 2025.
The cost of a black and white TV licence is set to increase by £1.50 from £57 to £58.50 a year in April. Some people are eligible for a free TV licence, while others can claim for a discount.
According to TV Licensing, you may be due a refund if you have been paying for a TV licence but think you are eligible for a free one. If you think you should be getting a free TV licence, you apply for a free licence online or by phone on 0300 790 6071.
Aged 75 and older
If you are aged 75 and over and you claim Pension Credit, you could get a free one. You can claim for your free TV licence when you are 74.
Gov.uk says: “You can apply when you’re 74 if you already get Pension Credit. You’ll still need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. After that you’ll be covered by your free licence.”
Living in certain accommodation
You might be able to get a TV licence at the discounted price of £7.50 if you live in a care home or sheltered accommodation. TV Licensing said: “Many care homes have a special type of licence that will cover you.
“As a resident of a residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation you may be able to benefit from a concessionary TV Licence. This is known as an Accommodation for residential care (ARC) licence.
“It costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow. Please speak to your care home managers to find out if your accommodation qualifies. They are responsible for arranging this type of licence.”
To qualify for an ARC licence, you must be aged 60 or older. You must be either retired or working for less than 15 hours a week, or disabled.
Blind or severely sight impaired
If you are blind or severely sight impaired, you can apply to pay for just half of the licence fee – which is £84.75 for a colour TV and £28.50 for black and white. You will be asked to provide evidence before you are given the discount.
Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you. The Government said it would confirm in January if the price of a TV lience for blind or severely sight impaired people will rise.
Black and white TVs
You can get a discount on your licence fee if you only watch black and white TV.