Amazon UK live TV upgrade could lead to licence demand
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Editor
| 28 May 2017

In an unintended consequence of a move that could shake up the country’s TV market, the UK’s TV Licensing authorities have revealed that subscribers to Amazon’s Prime Video service will need to be covered by a TV licence if they choose to pay for watching live services.


Amazon announced on 23 May that it was now offering linear television with its UK bundle. The offer comprises more than 40 subscription TV channels on an on-demand and live basis. These include Discovery’s premium factual entertainment series; Eurosport Player’s live sport including all matches of the upcoming French Open Tennis; ITV’s ad-free catch up service Hub+; Amazon’s own Bollywood channel, Heera; hayu, MUBI, BFI Player, MGM, Hopster and Shudder.

TV Licensing believes that the change will not affect the huge majority of households, which are already licensed. It calculates that around 94% of people are correctly licensed so are already covered to watch live TV online. A UK colour TV licence costs £147*and is required by anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV in the UK, or anyone watching or downloading BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies whether using a TV set, computer or any other equipment.

“If you watch or record live TV, either through your TV or live online through a website, then you need to be covered by a TV licence,” explained Jason Hill, TV Licensing spokesperson. “You also need a licence to watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, on any device."