Latest news with #TVLicensing
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I accidentally paid £159 for a TV licence then realised I'm entitled to a free one – now I can't get a refund
Got money problems? We can help fight for your cash back or challenge the way firms operate. Email money@ ASK ADELE I accidentally paid £159 for a TV licence then realised I'm entitled to a free one – now I can't get a refund Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Q. In March 2022 I paid £159 to renew my TV licence. I then realised I am entitled to a free licence as I am over 75 and receive pension credit. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Consumer Champion Adele Cooke solves your money issues Around the same time I developed cancer, so I didn't contact TV Licensing until a year later. I was told to send photos of my passport and a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to TV Licensing to prove my age and that I receive pension credit. But TV Licensing then said my pictures were not the right type. I was so focused on my cancer that I decided to leave it at that. Thankfully, my cancer responded to the treatment and I am now in good health. I decided to try and reclaim the refund this year but can't find any information on how to do so. I've received a free TV licence since 2023 so I know I am entitled to it. Can you help? David Platt, Liverpool. A. This was already a difficult time in your life, so I can understand that chasing a refund was not your top priority. I went on the TV Licensing website to see for myself how difficult it is to get a refund. It was hard to track down the information on your situation, so I can see why you found it tricky. Although you made a mistake, it should not be difficult to get your money back. When I contacted the company about your case it told me that the letter you sent to prove that you get pension credit was for the wrong year. It also said it was not aware that you were 75 when you applied for your licence. TV Licensing has now been in touch with you to help you apply for your refund. I'm glad this is sorted - but it's not good enough that you were initially let down. The company has told me that it has recently made a change that should make it easier for people who are eligible for a free licence to get one. It now automatically checks with the DWP to see whether someone who applies for a TV licence gets pension credit. This is a step in the right direction but there is more that can be done to make it simpler for people to get refunds. Squeeze team total: £226,961. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I accidentally paid £159 for a TV licence then realised I'm entitled to a free one – now I can't get a refund
Q. In March 2022 I paid £159 to renew my TV licence. I then realised I am entitled to a free licence as I am over 75 and receive pension credit. 1 Around the same time I developed cancer, so I didn't contact TV Licensing until a year later. I was told to send photos of my passport and a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to TV Licensing to prove my age and that I receive pension credit. But TV Licensing then said my pictures were not the right type. I was so focused on my cancer that I decided to leave it at that. Thankfully, my cancer responded to the treatment and I am now in good health. I decided to try and reclaim the refund this year but can't find any information on how to do so. I've received a free TV licence since 2023 so I know I am entitled to it. Can you help? David Platt, Liverpool. A. This was already a difficult time in your life, so I can understand that chasing a refund was not your top priority. I went on the TV Licensing website to see for myself how difficult it is to get a refund. It was hard to track down the information on your situation, so I can see why you found it tricky. Although you made a mistake, it should not be difficult to get your money back. When I contacted the company about your case it told me that the letter you sent to prove that you get pension credit was for the wrong year. It also said it was not aware that you were 75 when you applied for your licence. TV Licensing has now been in touch with you to help you apply for your refund. I'm glad this is sorted - but it's not good enough that you were initially let down. The company has told me that it has recently made a change that should make it easier for people who are eligible for a free licence to get one. It now automatically checks with the DWP to see whether someone who applies for a TV licence gets pension credit. This is a step in the right direction but there is more that can be done to make it simpler for people to get refunds.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Seven reasons you can get a refund on your TV Licence as 300,000 stop paying
We reveal how to watch TV legally without paying for a licence SAVE IT Seven reasons you can get a refund on your TV Licence as 300,000 stop paying HOUSEHOLDS can claim a refund on their TV Licence through seven avenues as 300,000 stop paying. Recent figures from the BBC revealed 23.8million licences were in force at the end of 2024/25, down from 24.1million in 2023/24. Advertisement 1 There are seven ways you can get a refund on your TV Licence Credit: Alamy But rather than ditch paying for a licence, there are some circumstances where you might be eligible for a refund instead. TV receiving equipment is no longer in use Refunds can be issued if a licence holder stops using TV receiving equipment at their address. The licence holder should not watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer. This includes recording and downloading programmes on any TV receiving device, like an iPad. Advertisement The address is covered by another licence Refunds can also be issued where the licence holder moves to a different address where they are covered by someone else's licence. For example, if you move out of your home and into your parents' or partner's address. TV Licence is bought in error Someone who has bought a licence when they don't need one is eligible for a refund. For example, if a licence was bought when there was already one in place at an address. Advertisement The TV Licensing website says if a licence was bought in error as a result of advice given by TV Licensing, the customer can claim up to six years' worth of refunds. A replacement TV Licence has been bought You can also get a refund if you move to another type of TV licence, replacing an existing one. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence For example, if you move from a £174.50 colour TV Licence to a Black and White TV Licence, which costs £58.50. Refunds are given for any unused months left on your existing licence. Advertisement The full list of circumstances where you can make a claim in this situation is found via - Blind concession refunds A refund of up to half the licence fee can be given if a licence holder has a blind certificate issued by a local authority or ophthalmologist. So, if you've bought a TV Licence and are later found to be blind, you could be eligible for a refund on the amount you've overpaid. Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application You can get a refund for each month remaining on your TV Licence if you are found to qualify for a free one. Advertisement For example, you can get a free TV Licence if you're 75 or older and receiving Pension Credit. Refunds due to the death of a licence holder You can apply for a refund for any complete months left on your licence if the licence holder has died. In this instance, the executor of someone's will should get in touch with TV Licensing to report the death and inform them who will be responsible for the licence going forward. How to apply for a TV Licence refund You can apply for a free TV Licence up to 14 days before the date you no longer need it. Advertisement You can claim the refund online via - TV Licensing says it aims to issue any refund within 21 days of receiving any application. Refunds are paid as a cheque or directly into your bank account. Or, you can contact the TV Licensing call centre on 0300 790 6096. Advertisement How to watch TV legally without paying for a licence YOU can legally use the following services without a TV Licence as long as you aren't using them to watch or stream live TV: On demand TV – such as catch-up TV and on demand previews, which are available through services including ITV Player, All 4, My5, BT Vision/BT TV, Virgin Media, Sky Go, Now TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. You can't watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer without a TV licence. – such as catch-up TV and on demand previews, which are available through services including ITV Player, All 4, My5, BT Vision/BT TV, Virgin Media, Sky Go, Now TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. You can't watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer without a TV licence. On demand movies - from services such as Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. - from services such as Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Recorded films and programmes - either via DVD or Blu-ray, or downloaded from the internet. - either via DVD or Blu-ray, or downloaded from the internet. YouTube - Video clips that aren't live through services such as YouTube. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Amazon Fire Stick users could face a £1,000 fine for watching Glastonbury
It is the most hotly anticipated music festival of the summer. But if you try to tune in to Glastonbury this weekend on your Amazon Fire Stick, you might end up facing a massive fine. Using a Fire Stick means you will be able to watch all the action streaming on BBC iPlayer from 19:00 BST on Friday. However, you could face a fine of up to £1,000 if you don't have a TV licence - that's almost three times more than a ticket to see Glastonbury live. The issue is that Glastonbury is a live broadcast, which you'll need a TV licence to watch. At £174.50 per year, this isn't cheap - but it is certainly less expensive than the hefty fee you'll face if you ignore it. 'Not paying for a TV Licence could lead to a £1,000 fine if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally,' TV Licensing explains on its website. 'The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey. Plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.' Amazon Fire Sticks' main appeal is that they give users access to a mixture of popular streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+. However, a lesser-known benefit is that they also let you access a wide range of BBC content. Earlier this year, Amazon quietly added the option to watch 10 BBC channels through the 'live' tab on the Fire Stick. Those include BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Scotland, and BBC Alba, as well as BBC iPlayer. Although you don't need a TV licence to watch on-demand streaming services, you do need one to watch anything on BBC iPlayer. That means tuning into Glastonbury through the BBC's streaming service is a breach of the rules. Likewise, you also need a TV licence if you watch any live broadcasts like Glastonbury. This includes any live broadcasts, such as sporting events, on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. 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, YouTube, 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.' These rules also apply to anything that has been broadcast live in the past, even if you're watching a recording on catch-up services. So it won't matter if you watch the Glastonbury broadcast as it happens or catch up the next day, you still need a licence to avoid getting fined. The cost of a TV Licence recently increased by £5 per year, rising from £169.50 to £174.50 on April 1. While you can pay this in one go, most people choose to spread the cost by Direct Debit - this works out at £14.54 per month. 'We could visit your address to confirm if you need a TV Licence,' TV Licensing warned. '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.'
Edinburgh Live
22-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Dad wins landmark TV Licence battle after cancelling to stream from games console
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A dad has won a landmark battle with TV Licensing after cancelling his licence in favour of streaming services on his gaming console. The current price for a TV licence is £174.50, granting lawful access to BBC programmes and live viewing across networks such as ITV and Channel 4, whether through aerial or online. But it seems not everyone must cough up for the fee, as Lee Stuart from Kirkby demonstrated in court. Last year, Mr Stuart had a run-in with a TV Licensing official and stated his case. Lee Stuart told the officer: "I told him I just watch Netflix and Amazon Prime through the PlayStation, and he asked me if I used BBC iPlayer and I said, 'no'." READ MORE - Princess Diana's nickname for Harry and why she thought 'he'd be a better king' READ MORE - World's 'friendliest country' to make tourists pay more than locals in restaurants After he signed a declaration confirming his statements, as reported by the Express, he thought that would be the last of the situation. But a Single Justice Procedure Notice soon dropped into his letterbox, indicating a potential legal skirmish. Resolved to fight his corner, Mr Stuart stood his ground in the dock, contesting the assertion from TV Licensing that he was watching the news and rebuffed an entry request from their agent. Sefton Magistrates Court dismissed the charge due to insufficient proof, reports Derbyshire Live. A spokesperson for TV Licensing clarified: "This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted." However, it has since come to light that Mr Stuart's claims were indeed accurate, according to TV Licensing's own rules. TV Licensing's guidelines stipulate that a TV Licence is essential for anyone who:. - Watches or records live TV across any channel using services like Sky, Virgin, Freeview, or Freesat. - Streams live content on platforms such as ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now, or Sky Go. - Utilises BBC iPlayer in any capacity. However, there are exemptions where a TV Licence isn't necessary:. - Viewing on-demand content on Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV, provided it's not live. For instance, you can legally watch series like Drive To Survive, Stranger Things, Ted Lasso, or Clarkson's Farm without a TV Licence. But watching live sports, such as a Premier League match on Amazon Prime, would require a Licence. TV Licensing emphasises: "You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch programmes live on any online TV service - such as ITVX, Channel 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now or Sky Go. You don't need a TV Licence if you only ever watch on-demand programmes on any TV service apart from BBC iPlayer." LIVE doesn't just refer to a live match, but also if you're watching Coronation Street as it's being broadcast 'live', you'll need a TV Licence. However, if you catch up on an ITV or Channel 4 show later, you won't require a licence for that.
