TVTV LicensingNot everyone needs a TV Licence - but some do, and may not know it07:01, 29 Jul 2026You might be sitting down to watch your favourite show on YouTube or Netflix without a second thought - but watch out: you could soon be hit with a £1,000 fine. That’s because a TV Licence may be required to watch certain programmes on some streaming services.‌TV Licensing guidance shows that people in the UK may need to pay to watch shows on Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube. Yes, even if you pay for YouTube Premium and the highest tier on Disney+ or Netflix.‌Your Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of TV such as Sky and Channel 4. It covers you for a range of channels. This includes recording and downloading on any device.‌Channels include:All TV channels, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channelsPay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TVLive TV on streaming services, like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime VideoEverything on BBC iPlayerDo I need a TV Licence to watch Youtube?‌TV Licensing guidance states: "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 also applies to live-streamed content that isn’t part of a TV broadcast or is shown at the same time through other means. TV officials further confirm that you must have a TV Licence if the above applies to you and you pay for Premium.Do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix?If you watch a TV programme live on Netflix, you must be covered by a TV Licence. However, you don’t need a TV Licence for Netflix shows and films watched on demand.‌Do you need a TV Licence to watch Amazon Prime?Yes. If you’re watching TV showing live on Prime, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. Howecer, you don’t need a TV Licence if you’re only watching on demand programmes on Amazon Prime.Do you need a TV Licence to watch Disney Plus?TV Licensing says on its website: "You don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes on Disney Plus."How much is a TV Licence in the UK 2026?Article continues belowA TV Licence costs £180 per year in 2026 for a colour TV. A black-and-white TV Licence costs £60.50 per year. This follows a price rise on April 1, 2026.Can I get fined for not having a TV Licence?Yes. If you need one and do not have one, you could get fined. If you don't need one, you don't need to worry. TV Licensing guidance states: "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. The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey."Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌NetflixChannel 4TV Licensing AuthorityTV Licensing