ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Important warning to Netflix users who don't have a TV Licence as guidance issued

Home> Entertainment> Netflix

Updated 09:20 29 Apr 2024 GMT+1Published 09:59 26 Apr 2024 GMT+1

Important warning to Netflix users who don't have a TV Licence as guidance issued

Things are changing in the world of streaming and Netflix users need to take note

Tom Earnshaw

Tom Earnshaw

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

It can be confusing enough to know whether you need a TV Licence or not depending on what you watch in the comfort of your own home.

But the goalposts appear to have shifted once again in what we're sure is an unwelcome head-scratcher for millions out there, given it impacts more than 16 million households.

Paying for your TV Licence is a requirement for countless homes in the United Kingdom because of the kind of content that is being watched. And those who should be paying - and don't - could find themselves on the receiving end of 'covert surveillance' to catch you out in the act of watching the tele.

Advert

Now, guidance has been issued on needing a £169.50 a year TV Licence, even if you only watch Netflix.

What do you currently need a TV Licence for?

There's a couple of reasons behind needing a TV Licence to cover your home.

The main and most obvious is because you watch BBC channels and/or content on BBC iPlayer.

A second reason is if you watch any television while it airs live footage on its channel.

You'll also need to pay if you record this live TV to enjoy at your leisure.

Confusion for Netflix viewers (Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Confusion for Netflix viewers (Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

When do you currently not need to pay for a TV Licence?

The BBC has been pretty clear in its rules on this for quite some time.

You don't need a TV Licence is all you do is watch on-demand television from channels that aren't the BBC.

When we speak about this we might be catching up on Love Island on ITVX or repeats of The Inbetweeners on Channel 4.

It also has been the case if you only watch streaming services too, like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+.

If you watch the iPlayer you must pay for a TV Licence (Carl Court/Getty Images)
If you watch the iPlayer you must pay for a TV Licence (Carl Court/Getty Images)

What's changing? And how does it impact Netflix?

With more and more streaming services heading in to the realm of live events, it's getting a little murky.

Netflix is expanding the kind of content it provides, with the looming boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson being broadcast live on the streaming platform.

There's also the huge $5 billion (£3.99 billion) deal to bring the WWE to Netflix, which will include weekly live episodes of Raw and Smackdown as well as its traditional pay-per-views (PPVs) such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam.

And just last month, Netflix broadcast The Netflix Slam, a live tennis competition streamed live from Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

It follows in the footsteps of Prime Video, which has broadcast Premier League matches as they happen for the last two seasons.

BBC HQ (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
BBC HQ (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

What has the BBC said?

The Beeb has issued guidance on what Netflix's decision to enter the live events market means.

A spokesperson said that a TV Licence 'is needed to watch live content on streaming services'.

They said: "A TV Licence is needed to watch live content on streaming services, watch or record a TV programme on any channel and when using BBC iPlayer.

"Further information is available on the TV Licensing website or via the customer services team, who can help with any queries."

Featured Image Credit: Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Topics: BBC, Jake Paul, Money, Netflix, Sport, TV, TV and Film, UK News, Crime

Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw

Tom joined LADbible Group in 2024, currently working as SEO Lead across all brands including LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, Tyla, UNILAD Tech, and GAMINGbible. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

X

@TREarnshaw

Recommended reads

Update on tourist arrested after illegally sailing to ‘world’s most isolated tribe’ to leave them can of cokeSurvival InternationalHaving low blood pressure just got even more important according to new scientific studyJoe Raedle/Getty ImagesRick Moranis returns to acting 30 years after tragic disappearance from HollywoodGabe Kelly/GettyPeople born in these years are officially ‘Zillennials’ and it explains a lot(Getty Stock Images)

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Gabe Kelly/Getty
    an hour ago

    Rick Moranis returns to acting 30 years after tragic disappearance from Hollywood

    Moranis is returning for the Spaceballs sequel, with the title having been officially announced

    Entertainment
  • Paramount Pictures
    3 hours ago

    Ariana Grande has viewers making double take after watching Focker-in-Law trailer

    The fourth film in the Fockers franchise marks Grande's first big screen moment since the Wicked films

    Entertainment
  • David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hugo Boss
    4 hours ago

    Victoria Beckham responds for first time when asked about son Brooklyn

    Brooklyn's lengthy statement earlier this year made damming claims against his parents

    Entertainment

    breaking

  • Prime Video
    4 hours ago

    The Boys is 'the new Simpsons' after 'predicting' Trump AI Jesus photo

    Creator Eric Kripke has said that he wishes 'the Trump administration would quit marketing the show for us' after the scene has released

    Entertainment
  • TV Licence fee could be axed as BBC iPlayer aims to rival Netflix
  • Netflix users given £1,000 warning as Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight confirmed
  • What happens if you don't pay licence fee as BBC loses £1.1 billion with millions refusing to pay
  • Mindhunter 'set to return' but it won't be as a Netflix TV series