If you stream on the likes of Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ or Amazon Prime, you may need a TV Licence11:00, 14 Jul 2026The rules around getting a TV Licence can be pretty confusing. And to clear things up, TV Licensing officials have confirmed whether you really need a Licence to watch subscription services.Yes, if you watch the likes of YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Prime, you may need to pay £180, depending on your viewing habits. But what about Disney+? Officials confirm: "You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Disney Plus."Currently, people across the UK must pay £180 per year for a colour TV Licence or £60.50 for a black-and-white set. This follows a price increase which came into force on April 1, 2026.While you may not need it to watch Disney+, in some cases, people will need it to watch certain shows on Amazon Prime, Netflix and YouTube.Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?Officials note: "If you are watching a TV programme that is being broadcast live on Netflix, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on-demand programmes on Netflix."Do I need a TV Licence to watch Amazon Prime?This depends on what you're watching. It notes: "If you’re watching TV showing live on Amazon Prime, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. You don’t need a TV Licence if you’re only watching on-demand programmes on Amazon Prime."Do I need a TV Licence to watch YouTube?A YouTube Premium subscription does not replace the need for a TV Licence. If you watch live TV on YouTube, you must still have a valid TV Licence.TV officials confirm: "If you are watching a TV programme live on YouTube, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. A licence is not required to view user-generated content, clips and videos on YouTube."This includes live-streamed content that is not part of a television broadcast. Or being broadcast at the same time by other means."I don't watch TV, do I still need a Licence?You don’t need a licence if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer*. This applies to watching on any device.If you only do the following, you don’t need a licence:Watch on demand or catch up on programmes on services other than BBC iPlayerWatch S4C programmes on demandStream, rent or buy movies from providers like Sky, Virgin Media, EE TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus or NowWatch DVDs or Blu-rays,Play videos clips through services like YouTube or to play video games.TV Licensing add: "If you are a landlord and you provide a device to allow your tenants to watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service, that address needs to be covered by a TV Licence."Article continues belowYou can tell officials that you don't need a TV Licence here.Remember, "you could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000* fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay", it says, adding that the maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey.