UK TV Licence Increase Calculator: Percentage Change in the Fee
Work out the percentage increase in the UK TV Licence fee between two years — and the annual and monthly pound difference — when the fee is uprated.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Fee increase | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| £159 to £169.50 (+6.6%) | 6.60% | 10.5 |
| £169.50 to £174.50 (+3%) | 2.95% | 5 |
| £145.50 to £159 (older uprating) | 9.28% | 13.5 |
| £159 to £163.50 (+2.8%) | 2.83% | 4.5 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the previous and new annual TV Licence fee. The calculator finds the percentage increase and the annual difference. Divide the annual change by 12 to see the monthly impact, since many people pay by monthly or quarterly Direct Debit.
The Formula
Percentage Change
Old is the starting value, New is the ending value
Worked Example
A TV Licence fee rising from £159 to £169.50 is a 6.6% increase — £10.50 more a year (about 88p a month). The TV Licence is the annual fee that funds the BBC and is required to watch or record live TV on any channel or to use BBC iPlayer. The fee is set by the government and periodically uprated (in recent years linked to inflation), so increases recur. A standard colour licence is the headline fee; a much cheaper black-and-white licence exists, and there are concessions for blind/severely sight impaired viewers and specific arrangements for some over-75 households.
Key Insight
The UK TV Licence is an unusual, often-debated charge, and understanding when it's required (and the available concessions) can save money. You need a TV Licence to watch or record live television on any channel or service (not just the BBC) and to download or watch anything on BBC iPlayer — but, notably, you do not need one to watch on-demand/streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video, or catch-up on other broadcasters' on-demand players (excluding iPlayer), as long as you never watch live TV. So a household that has genuinely 'cut the cord' to streaming-only (no live TV, no iPlayer) can legally cancel the licence — a real saving as the fee rises. The fee is set by the government and uprated periodically, typically in line with inflation, so increases recur and the percentage here shows how steep each rise is. Concessions reduce or waive the fee for some: a 50% reduction for registered blind (severely sight impaired) viewers, a free licence for eligible over-75s receiving Pension Credit, and the cheaper black-and-white licence for those still using only a monochrome set. Paying by Direct Debit (monthly, quarterly, or annually) spreads the cost. This calculator shows the increase's size and its monthly equivalent; if the rising fee prompts a review, check whether your viewing actually requires a licence and whether you qualify for a concession before renewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the TV Licence increase calculated?
Subtract the old annual fee from the new one, divide by the old fee, and multiply by 100. From £159 to £169.50 is (£169.50 − £159) / £159 = 6.6%, a £10.50 annual increase (about 88p a month).
When do I need a TV Licence?
To watch or record live TV on any channel or service, and to download or watch anything on BBC iPlayer. You do not need one to watch on-demand streaming (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video) or other broadcasters' catch-up players, provided you never watch live TV and never use iPlayer.
Can I cancel my TV Licence to avoid the increase?
Legally, yes — if you genuinely don't watch any live TV and don't use BBC iPlayer (streaming-only on-demand services don't require a licence). A household that has cut the cord to on-demand streaming can cancel the licence, which is a real saving as the fee rises. You must be sure your viewing never includes live TV or iPlayer.
Are there concessions or discounts?
Yes: a 50% reduction for registered blind (severely sight impaired) viewers, a free licence for eligible over-75s who receive Pension Credit, and a much cheaper black-and-white licence for those using only a monochrome set. Check eligibility with TV Licensing — many who qualify don't claim.
Why does the TV Licence fee keep rising?
The fee is set by the government to fund the BBC and is periodically uprated, in recent years generally linked to inflation. So increases recur over time. The percentage here shows how steep a given rise is; the monthly figure (annual change ÷ 12) shows the real effect on a Direct Debit budget.
Related Calculators
Methodology & Review
The increase is the change between the old and new annual fee divided by the old fee, multiplied by 100. It compares two annual TV Licence fees directly and does not account for concessions (e.g. blind/severely sight impaired reduction) or the over-75 arrangements.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 22, 2026.