Overview

• Lee Stuart successfully challenged a prosecution at Sefton Magistrates Court in June 2025 after proving he only streamed Netflix and Amazon Prime without live TV or BBC iPlayer.
• The annual TV licence fee of £174.50 covers live television broadcasts and any use of BBC iPlayer.
• Households relying solely on on-demand services such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video can legally cancel their licence and may claim refunds for unused periods.
• Over 500,000 UK homes opted out of paying the licence last year as viewers reassessed their eligibility following the court decision.
• Watching live broadcasts or using BBC iPlayer without a valid TV licence remains a criminal offence punishable by fines up to £1,000.