Netflix’s big push into live television could result in fines of up to £1,000 for people caught without a TV licence.
The streaming service is gearing up for its splashiest live event to date: a high-profile boxing match between Youtuber Jake Paul and former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, and customers will surely be required to have a TV licence to tune in to the bout.
Well, it is not that clear-cut, as the Standard recently found out. While the BBC told us (and Cord Busters) that a TV licence is indeed required to watch live content on Netflix, that doesn’t match its messaging to customers.
In fact, the Beeb’s TV licence customer support staff are unaware of the change. When we rang up, we were told that a TV licence wasn’t required to watch Netflix and any reports claiming that Netflix contained live programming were false.
The contradictory statements suggested the BBC is in danger of being caught flat-footed as Netflix, the world’s biggest streamer, ramps up its live offering. It also puts many, mainly younger viewers raised on a diet of YouTube, Netflix and TikTok who don’t have a TV licence at risk of a fine.
A record 2.84 million people stopped paying the annual fee last year because they do not watch BBC channels or any kind of live TV. The latest figure marked an increase of more than 360,000 on the previous 12 months.
How much is a TV licence?
The government has recently raised the licence fee to £169.50, an increase of 6.7 per cent, in line with inflation, and that could go up even further this year.
Do you need a TV licence to watch Netflix?
If you only watch Netflix and other streaming services on-demand you don’t need to buy a TV licence. The fee is only applicable if you view or record live TV on any service or use BBC iPlayer.
Not everyone has to pay for a TV licence. People aged 75 and over who receive pension credit can apply for a free licence and concessions are available to those who are blind (or severely sight impaired). The same goes for those who live in qualifying residential care and are disabled or over 60 and retired and businesses that offer overnight accommodation, such as hostels.
Netflix’s live programming is harder to avoid
Live events are becoming more common on Netflix. The streaming service previously aired a Chris Rock comedy special, a golf tournament featuring Formula One stars and PGA Tour pros, and an exhibition tennis match between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal. Already this year it has announced a live comedy with Tom Brady, a deal to broadcast weekly live WWE wrestling shows and a six-night live comedy event with US comic John Mulaney.
When is the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight?
Of course, Netflix has its reasons for introducing live programming: As a public company, it’s beholden to Wall Street and its insatiable desire for growth. Massive sport events like the Paul-Tyson fight bring in bigger advertisers for its ad-supported subscription plan.
The bout was originally scheduled for July but has since been postponed to November 15 due to a health scare that restricted Tyson to light training.
The Standard has asked Netflix for comment.
Amazon has in the past struck rights deals for live football matches with the Premier League, and it is probably only a matter of time till Netflix adds more sport.
For Brits who have ditched off-air viewing that means forking out for a TV licence on top of their subscriptions or risking a fine.
