Netflix users are being urged to be careful because using this new feature could land them with a £1,000 fine. From WWE wrestling to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson, streamling services like Netflix are going all out to make their platforms more attractive with live content.
But could watching your favourite shows in real-time really result in a £1,000 fine? You bet you. And that’s because you need a TV licence to watch live shows, even if they’re being aired on platforms like Netflix.
According to TV Licensing’s website, failing to pay for a TV licence while watching, recording or downloading programmes could lead to the hefty fine – and that’s not including any legal costs or compensation you may be ordered to pay. If you live in Guernsey, expect your fine to reach £2,000.
TV Licensing explains: “You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch live on streaming services – such as ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Sky Go, Netflix and Freely. You don’t need a TV Licence if you never watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, or use BBC iPlayer.”
Thankfully, the cost of a TV licence is a fraction of the cost of a fine at £174.50 – and you’ll be covered for a year. You can pay this in one go or spread the cost by Direct Debit, which works out at £14.54 per month.
Failing to pay your TV licence could see you fined. You may even be visited by TV Licensing staff to confirm if you need one. “If we find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine for not having a TV Licence of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay,” the website warns.
The same rules apply for all streaming services, including those being accessed by Amazon Fire Stick. On April 1, the TV licence fee increased by £5 to £174.50.
The increase, aligned with the current royal charter that oversees the BBC’s funding, arrives amid escalating living costs and rising energy prices, placing additional financial burdens on consumers. Amid the ongoing debate about the sustainability of the BBC’s funding model, significant changes could soon affect users of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
As the existing royal charter is due to expire in 2027, ministers are contemplating extending the TV licence fee to include these platforms to reflect changing media consumption habits. The royal charter serves as the backbone of the BBC’s operational and governance agreement with the Government.
With its impending expiration, there’s a push to modernise how the public broadcaster is funded.