With more than than 10,000 people across the UK are cancelling TV licences per month , it’s clear that the days of the traditional TV licence are coming to an end. If you’re thinking about doing away with your licence, then this guide is for you.
In this article we’ll look at some of the alternatives to a TV licence and how easy they are to set up.
TV Licencing
TV licensing was originally introduced in Britain during the 1950s as a condition of receiving a television broadcasting licence from the government. The licensing fee was used to fund the BBC’s public service broadcasting, and it remains an important source of income for the organisation today.
However TV licenses are now seen as outdated and expensive, with some households questioning if they really need to pay for the privilege of watching television.
After all, with advances in technology such as streaming services and free-to-air channels, there are plenty of alternatives available to access TV content without needing a license or even a TV aerial.
The good news is that for some households, it is possible to ditch their annual TV license in favour of more cost-effective alternatives. Times have changed and network engineers are replacing TV aerial installers.
Costs of TV licensing and Refunds
A colour television license costs £159 per year, the cost is annual or weekly and Brits only have an e-mail license per family.
Pension Credit recipients are entitled to a free over-75 TV licence, but only if you receive Pension Credit, depending on your circumstances you may be able to apply for a refund.
Sometimes households may want to re-apply and request a partial refund for the license if they have no television access.
To find out whether you can get a partial refund of the fees, contact your local licensing office or the television licensing authority.
Steps to cancel TV licence
If you decide to take the plunge and cancel your TV licence, here are a few steps to help you through it.
- Gather all relevant information: Make sure you have the details of your current license such as the number and expiry date. You’ll also need your address, phone number and email address on hand in order to cancel.
- Contact the TV licensing authority: You can contact the TV Licensing Authority either online or over the phone and explain your reasons for wanting to cancel your licence.
- Confirm cancellation: Once you have provided all the necessary information, confirm that you are cancelling your license and provide them with any
Once your licence has been cancelled, you will no longer be liable for any outstanding payments and will not have to pay any further fees.
It’s important to note that cancelling your licence does not mean that you won’t receive a bill in the future – you may still be liable for any charges incurred before your cancellation.
Or you could be owed a a refund if you’ve overpaid.
TV Licence Alternatives
There are a variety of options available to those who wish to watch television without paying a licence fee.
Here are some of the most popular alternatives:
- Streaming services offer an extensive library of movies and TV shows available to view at any time.
- Freeview – If you have an aerial, then you can take advantage of the free-to-air channels which are available on Freeview.
- Digital Radio – If you are after a bit of background noise or to stay up-to-date with the news, then digital radio is a great alternative.
- Catch Up TV – If you miss an episode of your favourite show, then you can use catch up TV services such as ITV hub or All 4 to watch the programmes you have missed. These services are free and don’t require a TV licence.
- Apple TV – If you have an Apple TV, then you can access a range of content from the iTunes store.
- You Tube – YouTube is a great source of free content.
- Now TV – Now TV is owned by Sky and offers a wide range of content. You don’t need a Sky subscription to use the service, though you will have to pay for certain features such as films or sports channels.
It’s important to remember that you may still need a TV licence to watch some programmes on YouTube, such as those from the BBC or ITV.
There are plenty of movies on blu-ray or DVD and shows available to rent or purchase from the store, so it’s a great alternative to paying for a TV licence.
Streaming Services
For a small monthly subscription fee, you can watch your favourite programmes without the need for TV licensing, such as;
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
Streaming services offer an extensive library of movies and TV shows available to view at any time, so if you’re looking to save money and a way to watch television without the need for a licence, then streaming services could be the answer.
Netflix
Netflix is an on-demand streaming service and one of the most popular choices for watching TV without a licence.
It has an extensive library of content, from old classics to the latest blockbuster releases. Netflix also offers a range of original series and movies which have been produced exclusively for their platform.
To watch Netflix you will need to sign up for an account and pay the required subscription fee.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is an on-demand streaming service similar to Netflix, with a large selection of movies, TV shows, documentaries and more.
To watch Amazon Prime Videos you will need to subscribe to the Amazon Prime subscription which costs around £7.99 a month.
Disney+
Disney+ is an on-demand streaming service owned by Disney, with a vast library of content, including old classics and new releases.
It’s great for those looking to watch TV without the need for a licence as it offers a range of movies, TV shows, documentaries and kids content.
To watch Disney+ you will need to subscribe to the service which costs around £5.99 per month.
Freeview
If you have an aerial connected to your TV, then you can take advantage of the free-to-air channels available on Freeview.
However you will need a TV licence if you are watching TV live or plan to record live TV.
These include all BBC channels including BBC iplayer, ITV and Channel 4.
Some of these channels offer catch up services which will allow you to watch programmes after they have been aired, so you won’t need a licence.
Digital Radio
Digital Radio or DAB radio has become increasingly popular over the years and there are many local and national stations available on digital radio, such as:
- Heart FM,
- Classic FM,
- Absolute Radio
- TalkSPORT
- Capital FM
Digital Radio allows you to listen to music, news, sports and talk shows without needing a TV licence.
Catch Up TV
If you miss an episode of your favourite show, then you can use catch up TV services such as ITV hub or All 4 to watch programmes you have missed.
These services are free and don’t require a TV licence, so you can stay up-to-date with your favourite shows without paying the TV licence fee.
It’s important to remember that some programmes may still require you to have a valid TV licence, so it’s best to check the terms and conditions before watching.
Apple TV
Apple TV offers a range of content from the iTunes store you can rent or purchase.
If you have an Apple TV, then this is a great alternative to paying for a TV licence and will give you access to movies and shows without the need for a licence.
YouTube
YouTube is another great source of free content and there are plenty of channels available, from cooking to travel.
These channels allow you to access a variety of programmes without needing a TV licence and has become increasingly popular in recent years.
It’s important to remember that some programmes that are broadcast live may still require you to have a valid TV licence, so it’s best to check the terms and conditions before watching.
Now TV
Now TV is owned by Sky and offers a wide range of content. You don’t need a Sky subscription to use the service, though you will have to pay for certain features such as films or sports channels.
You may also need a valid TV licence if you are watching programmes which are available on live TV, so it’s best to check the terms and conditions before signing up.
Watching Live TV
Unfortunately you can not watch live tv without a tv licence whether it is BBC or a YouTube live broadcast this also include BBC iPlayer.
Furthermore, if you are caught watching live programmes without a licence, then you could be liable for a fine of up to £1000.
There are many misconceptions that authorities are able to detect if you’re watching live tv without a licence, that may have been true in the past however these days most most live television is watched through a Smart TV or a digital Box rather than through a traditional aerial.
However there are still ways to find out if you are watching Live TV without a TV licence such as targeted visits to your home.
Can I record live TV without a TV licence?
No, you cannot record live TV channels without a TV license.
The bottom line is that if you are watching any Live TV broadcasts then you must have a valid TV Licence in order to do so legally.
So if you decide to ditch and cancel your TV licence there are plenty of alternatives to watch content that doesn’t require a TV licence, from digital radio and catch up services to Apple TV and YouTube.
Remember, if you do decide to go for one of these alternatives then make sure you check the terms and conditions before watching.
