UK TV watchers may have to pay of a TV licence even if they only watch streaming services, according to new plans from the government.
Currently. A TV Licence is required only if you watch live television or BBC-related content on demand. It does not apply to on demand content from services such as YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ or others. That may change, however, as the government looks at options to support the BBC when its current Royal Charter expires in 2027.
A report from Bloomberg says the move is one of several options being explored, alongside “top up” payments for extra content, and paying to listen to the BBC’s radio stations. The streaming option would affect the most people, however, given the popularity of streaming services.
Over 20million households have at least one streaming service, with Netflix the market leader at 17.3million subscribers, according to figures from Barb. While historically these services have been on-demand, many of the major streamers have moved into live events, with Netflix covering NFL and WWE wrestling, while Amazon’s Prime Service shows Premier League and Champions League football.
The licence fee rose for the first time in two years in 2024, increasing to £169.50. The number of households with a TV licence also dropped last year, with 23.9million in the United Kingdom, down from 24.4million in 2023.
As a public service, The BBC’s content is funded by the licence, with services such as Freeview also funded. The fee is a continued topic of political debate, with supporters hailing it as a way to keep the BBC impartial, but opponents arguing advertising or subscription fees should replace a mandatory licence.
The BBC’s content continues to be popular with the general public, with the Christmas broadcast of Gavin and Stacey: The Finale becoming the most watched scripted show since records began.