BBC's warning to people who don't pay their TV Licence

Love it or loathe it, it's the law to pay the BBC's TV Licence.

And the BBC has issued a warning over why you must pay up if you use its specific services - and services from other channels or apps.

If you don't, you could find yourself in court and paying a hefty fine that costs more than the licence fee itself. We're talking a maximum fine of £1,000, plus court costs.

The licence fee itself is currently £159 a year, but it is set to rise to £169.50 this year - not ideal in a cost of living crisis.

Speaking to LADbible, the national broadcaster explained how they really do try and do everything they can when it comes to reasoning with people over non-payment. But if people still wont pay after trying to have a conversation, they'll be hauled in front of their local magistrates' court as a 'last resort' act by the Beeb.

A TV Licensing spokesperson told LAD: "A TV Licence provides cover for anyone watching or recording a TV programme on any channel; watching live content on streaming services; and using BBC iPlayer.

"Information is available on the TV Licensing website and via the customer services team, who can help with any queries.

"TV Licensing’s primary aim is to help people stay licensed and avoid prosecution – which is always a last resort. We are doing all we can to help people and offer a range of concessions and payment schemes which support people who fall into financial difficulty.

"If it is necessary to consider prosecution we apply evidential and public interest tests."

Stefano Madrigali / Getty

It is important to add that no one is sent to prison for not paying their TV Licence.

The Beeb offers a range of concessions and payment options to help people spread the cost of a licence, and work with groups throughout the UK which support people who fall into financial difficulty. This ensures that the TV Licence is as accessible as possible.

What the TV Licence covers

You need to pay your TV Licence if you watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel on any TV service. We're talking the likes of Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview.

You also need to pay up if you watch or stream programmes live as they air, on an online TV service such as ITVX, All 4, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video, Now, and Sky Go.

Peter Dazeley / Getty.

If you're downloading or watching any BBC programmes on the iPlayer, you'll also need to pay your fee.

This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

The BBC has a database of approximately 31 million licensed and unlicensed addresses across the country, telling them if your address has a TV Licence.