For many UK households, the annual TV licence fee is simply another unavoidable bill. At over £150 per year for a standard colour licence, it’s not insignificant — especially for pensioners, single‑person households or anyone trying to reduce monthly expenses.
But what many people don’t realise is that there are fully legal ways to reduce your TV licence cost — and in some cases, bring it down to as little as £30 per year.
This isn’t about loopholes or risky tactics. It’s about understanding the rules properly and using them to your advantage.
Here’s a clear, practical guide explaining how you can legally cut your TV licence cost — and whether it’s the right choice for your household.
How the TV Licence System Works
In the UK, you must have a TV licence if you:
Watch or record live television on any channel
Use BBC iPlayer
The licence is administered by TV Licensing and funds the activities of the BBC.
Importantly, the licence applies per household, not per person or per device.
If you only watch streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime (and never watch live TV or BBC iPlayer), you may not need a licence at all. But if you do watch live broadcasts, you must be licensed.
The Standard Cost
A standard colour TV licence currently costs over £150 per year.
However, there is a significantly cheaper option available — and it is completely legal.
The £30 Option Explained
If you only watch television in black and white, you are legally entitled to purchase a black and white TV licence.
The cost is around £30 per year.
Yes, it’s that simple.
If you genuinely only watch black and white television, you can legally pay a fraction of the standard licence fee.
Who Can Use a Black and White Licence
Anyone can apply for a black and white TV licence, provided they:
Only watch programmes in black and white
Do not use colour‑enabled TV equipment
If your television is physically capable of displaying colour but you choose to set it permanently to black and white mode, the key factor is that you are not watching in colour.
However, it’s important to ensure you comply fully with the rules.
What Counts as Watching in Black and White
The licence type depends on how you watch, not what the broadcaster transmits.
Even if the programme is filmed in colour, if your television displays it in black and white only, you can hold a black and white licence.
If you switch back to colour viewing, you must upgrade to a colour licence.
How to Apply for the £30 Licence
You can apply directly through TV Licensing.
The process is straightforward:
Select the black and white licence option
Confirm your viewing setup
Pay the reduced annual fee
There is no special eligibility requirement based on age or income.
Important Compliance Rules
This option is legal — but only if you genuinely comply.
You cannot:
Watch colour broadcasts while holding a black and white licence
Use colour on any device covered by your household licence
Switch between colour and black and white without upgrading
If you return to colour viewing, you must notify TV Licensing and update your licence.
Could This Work for Modern Households
For most modern viewers, switching to black and white may feel impractical.
However, some households — particularly older viewers — may not mind.
Classic programmes, news and many documentaries remain perfectly watchable without colour.
If reducing costs is a priority, this option can make a noticeable difference.
What About Streaming Services
If you only watch on‑demand streaming platforms (and never live TV or BBC iPlayer), you may not need any licence at all.
This is entirely legal.
You do not need a TV licence to watch:
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Disney+
YouTube (non‑live content)
The requirement only applies to live TV or BBC iPlayer usage.
If you stop watching live broadcasts entirely, you can declare your household licence‑free.
Free TV Licence for Over‑75s
Some pensioners may qualify for a free licence if they receive Pension Credit and are aged 75 or over.
If eligible, this option reduces the cost to £0 per year.
However, not all pensioners qualify automatically.
Combining Savings
In some cases, households may combine strategies:
Switch to black and white viewing
Cancel live TV usage entirely
Check eligibility for Pension Credit
Each household’s situation is different.
Is It Worth It
Before switching, consider:
Do you mind watching in black and white?
Will other household members accept it?
Is the annual saving significant for your budget?
For some, saving over £120 per year makes a meaningful difference.
For others, the convenience of colour may outweigh the savings.
Potential Downsides
Modern TVs are designed for colour viewing.
Menus, subtitles and graphics may be harder to interpret in black and white.
Sports and nature programmes may lose visual impact.
Make sure the trade‑off works for your lifestyle.
Enforcement and Checks
TV Licensing has the authority to investigate unlicensed viewing.
If you declare a black and white licence, you must genuinely comply.
Watching colour content with a black and white licence could result in penalties.
The key is honesty and consistency.
Common Questions
Is the £30 licence really legal
Yes. Black and white licences are officially recognised.
Do I need a special television
No, but you must only watch in black and white.
Can I switch back later
Yes, but you must upgrade your licence.
Is it available across the UK
Yes, the option applies nationwide.
Other Ways to Reduce Costs
Beyond switching licence type, you could:
Review your viewing habits
Cancel unused subscriptions
Consider whether you need live TV at all
Sometimes the biggest savings come from reassessing how you consume media.
Key Points to Remember
Black and white TV licences cost around £30 per year.
They are fully legal if used correctly.
Watching in colour requires a standard licence.
Streaming without live TV may not require a licence at all.
Over‑75s on Pension Credit may qualify for free licences.
Final Thoughts
The idea of cutting your TV licence cost to £30 per year might sound surprising, but it’s completely legitimate under UK rules.
The black and white licence has existed for decades, though relatively few people use it today.
For households focused on reducing bills, it represents a straightforward way to save money — provided you are happy watching television without colour.
Before making any changes, review your viewing habits carefully and ensure you comply fully with licensing rules.
Reducing household expenses doesn’t always require complicated strategies. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of understanding the options already available to you.
If colour isn’t essential in your home, a £30 annual licence could be one of the simplest legal savings you make this year.