BBC TV licence warning as thousands missing out on £170 saving

Thousands of pensioners could be eligible for a free and save themselves almost £170.

The TV licence costs £169.50 for a year and is a requirement for watching or recording live programmes on a TV, PC, laptop, tablet, or phone.

Watching live TV without a can bring stiff financial penalties, with those caught doing it at risk of a £1,000 fine.

You'll need to have a TV licence to watch live TV or catch up on BBC iPlayer, but not if you're watching catch up on other streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5, reports.

However, if you're watching a live show on these services, you'll still need to pay for the licence.

But exemptions and discounts do apply, depending on your circumstances. People aged 75 and over, and claim Pension Credit, for example, are entitled to a free license.

Students living away from home may also be covered provided their parents have a TV licence, but only when watching TV on devices such as phones, tablets or laptops.

People in these circumstances who are watching on a television or desktop computer plugged into the mains aren't covered.

You may be eligible for a 50 percent concession if you are blind (severely sight impaired), with the concession covering you or anyone you live with.

A blind concession costs £84.75 for a colour and £28.50 for a black and white TV Licence, as per the TV Licensing website.

However, people who are partially sighted (sight impaired) are not eligible for this discount.

People living in residential care or sheltered accommodation may also be eligible for a concessionary TV licence at a cost of £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow. You and your accommodation must qualify to be approved.

TV licences can be paid for or renewed over the phone, online, at any PayPoint, or with a TV Licensing payment card.

You can either pay for the whole year upfront or make monthly payments - but be advised this option will cost more.

You can find out more about payment options and concessions you could be eligible for on the .