Overview
- The annual colour licence rises from £174.50 to £180 on 1 April 2026, a £5.50 (3.15%) increase based on the average CPI, with black‑and‑white licences moving to £60.50.
- A licence remains legally required to watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer, with evasion carrying fines up to £1,000; TV Licensing says prosecutions are a last resort after complaints to MPs about ‘threatening’ letters.
- Free licences continue for over‑75s receiving Pension Credit, registered blind people get 50% off, some care‑home residents qualify for reduced rates, and the Simple Payment Plan allows costs to be spread.
- People who no longer need a licence can seek a refund if at least one month remains, with additional refunds available for those later granted over‑75 or blind concessions.
- The rise has intensified affordability arguments as critics compare the compulsory fee with cheaper streaming tiers, while the government keeps the model through 2027 and S4C’s allocation increases proportionately.