Before the April price increase, TV license fee payers can cancel and receive a refund. Although the cost of a TV license will increase on April 1st, some households may choose to completely forego it.
Viewing TV from a point of view
On April 1st, the annual TV license fee will increase to £180 (Image: Getty). By canceling their TV licence prior to an April price increase, UK households eager to save a little cash can get their money back. The annual cost of a TV licence is currently £174.50 (or £58.50 if you have a black-and-white TV set), but it will increase on April 1.
In February, the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) announced that the TV Licence fee would increase in accordance with inflation starting in April. The annual fee would go from £174.50 to £180, an increase of £5.50 or an additional 46p per month. Black and white TV sets will now cost £60.50 annually instead of £58.50, an increase of £2 for the 2026–2027 tax year.
According to the DCMS, the cost is increasing in accordance with inflation as mandated by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, and it will increase once more in accordance with CPI inflation in April 2027, resulting in additional costs for households. However, since rising living expenses have already put a strain on household budgets, you should think about whether you truly need your TV license. If not, you can cancel before the price increases in April and receive a refund.
To watch or record shows on a TV
For the remaining years of the Charter period, which lasts until the end of 2027, the UK Government has confirmed that the TV Licence fee will increase in line with inflation. This means that households will have to deal with price increases in April for at least two more years. However, it might be worthwhile to cancel your TV license if you don’t actually use it to its full potential.
If you no longer use BBC iPlayer or watch live TV on any channel, TV service, or streaming service, you should cancel your TV license, according to TV Licensing.
Therefore, if you fit this description, you can cancel your license and possibly get a refund if you won’t be doing any of the following before it expires:
- Watching television on any channel, including international, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and U&Dave
- Using paid TV services, such as Virgin Media, EE TV, and Sky
- using streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video to watch live TV.
- Making use of BBC iPlayer
- This covers downloading and recording software on any kind of device.
Refund Information
According to TV Licensing, “If you have at least one full month left on your license and you won’t need it again before it expires, you can apply for a refund.” You can request a refund at any time and for any amount of time remaining on your license if you qualify for a blind concession. Up to 14 days prior to the date you no longer require the TV license, you may request a refund.
After submitting your application, refunds are normally processed and issued within 21 days. Any money that is still owed to you will be returned to your bank account or by check.
The precise amount that households will receive back is determined by their unique situation and is determined by the date of license issuance and expiration.
Refund Calculation
In order to receive a refund, you must have at least one full month remaining on your license that you won’t need before it expires. Refunds are calculated in unused months.
TV Licensing stated: “Depending on how long you have left on your license, you could receive a refund for one to eleven months. If there is less than a month between the cancellation date and the expiration date, you will not be eligible for a refund. Your licence’s expiration date may be adjusted to reflect the amount you have paid if you haven’t paid for it in full. “You can view your licence expiry date by signing in with your licence number, name on the licence, and postcode.” Locate your license number.
State Pension Increase April 2026: Older Pensioners to Receive £8 Weekly Boost Under Triple Lock
Payment Options
The majority of people opt to spread the cost of the TV Licence fee with a monthly Direct Debit, which currently amounts to about £14.54 per month, according to TV Licencing. However, this fee will increase starting in April, so if you don’t think you need your license, it’s best to cancel before the new rates go into effect the following month.
If you still require your TV license, there are other options to lower the price or, in certain situations, obtain it for free. You can apply for a free TV licence and save £174.50 a year if you are 75 years of age or older and you or your partner who lives at the same address receive Pension Credit.
A reduced fee TV license may be available to residents of residential care facilities, supported housing, or sheltered housing. Additionally, if you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can present the necessary documentation, you may be eligible for a 50% discount on your TV license. However, you will have to pay the full cost of a TV license if neither of these is applicable.
There are still some ways to cut expenses if you don’t fit the requirements for a reduced fee TV license or Pension Credit.
Shared License Options
TV licenses are per household, not per individual, so if you live in a home with multiple people, you can all contribute to the cost of a single license instead of having one.
Alternatively, if you have a joint tenancy agreement or watch TV in a single common area, you can share a TV license with the entire household. However, you will be responsible for covering your own costs if you have separate tenancy agreements and watch TV in your own room.
We use your sign-up to better understand you and to deliver content in ways you’ve agreed to. According to what we understand, this may include advertisements from us and third parties. Unsubscribing is always possible. Examine our privacy statement.
Additionally, you can watch videos on websites like YouTube, DVDs and Blu-rays, on-demand TV via services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video, and streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus without a TV license.
You can save yourself £174.50 if you’re content to only watch any of these and avoid using streaming services to watch or record live TV, BBC iPlayer, or live sports like boxing. However, you risk a fine of up to £1,000 if you watch or record live television without a TV license.
