Overview

• The annual colour TV licence costs £174.50 after April’s £5 increase, with further rises linked to CPI through 2027.
• Free licences remain limited to people aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit, and the DWP says applying typically takes about 16 minutes.
• TV Licensing now automatically checks Pension Credit status with the DWP and is helping eligible pensioners pursue refunds.
• A June court ruling confirmed that households using only on‑demand services—not live TV or BBC iPlayer—do not need a licence, though fines up to £1,000 apply for watching when one is required.
• An online petition to fund free licences for all pensioners has attracted several thousand signatures, as BBC and government figures signal openness to more progressive charging.