LegalizeThe Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Made: 4th February 2026
Laid before Parliament: 6th February 2026
Coming into force: 1st April 2026
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 365 (1) and (4)(b) and 402 (3) of the Communications Act 2003[^f00001], including as extended by—
the Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Order 2003[^f00002]; the Communications (Jersey) Order 2003[^f00003]; the Communications (Isle of Man) Order 2003[^f00004]; the Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Order 2004[^f00005]; the Broadcasting and Communications (Jersey) Order 2004[^f00006].
the Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Order 2003[^f00002];
the Communications (Jersey) Order 2003[^f00003];
the Communications (Isle of Man) Order 2003[^f00004];
the Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Order 2004[^f00005];
the Broadcasting and Communications (Jersey) Order 2004[^f00006].
The Treasury has consented to the making of these Regulations in accordance with section 365 (6) of the Communications Act 2003.
Citation, commencement, effect and extent
1
- (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
- (2) These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2026.
- (3) These Regulations have effect in respect of TV licences issued on or after 1st April 2026.
- (4) These Regulations extend to—
- (a) England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,
- (b) the Channel Islands, except regulation 4(43) and (44) and Schedule 2, and
- (c) the Isle of Man.
Amendment of the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004
2
The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004[^f00007] are amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 5.
Amendment of Schedule 1
3
- (1) The Table in Schedule 1 (issue fees for TV licences) is amended as follows.
- (2) In the third column of the row relating to TV licence (black and white only) General Form for “£58.50” substitute “£60.50”.
- (3) In the third column of the row relating to TV licence (including colour) General Form for “£174.50” substitute “£180.00”.
- (4) In the third column of the row relating to TV licence (black and white only) Multiple Form for “£58.50” substitute “£60.50”.
- (5) In the third column of the row relating to TV licence (including colour) Multiple Form for “£174.50” substitute “£180.00”.
Amendment of Schedule 2
4
- (1) In Schedule 2 (fees for TV licences payable by instalments)—
- (a) Part 1 (premium instalment television licence (including colour)) is amended in accordance with paragraph (2);
- (b) Part 2 (budget instalment television licence (including colour)) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (3) to (9);
- (c) Part 3 (easy entry television licence (including colour)) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (10) to (42);
- (d) Part 4 (simple payment plan licence (not black and white only)) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (43) and (44).
- (2) In paragraph 2(1)—
- (a) for ““£44.89” substitute “£46.25”;
- (b) for “£44.87” substitute “£46.25”.
- (3) In paragraph 5(1) for “2025” substitute “2026”.
- (4) In paragraph 5 for Table 1 substitute Table 1 in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.
- (5) In paragraph 6(1) for “2025” substitute “2026”.
- (6) In paragraph 6 for Table 2 substitute Table 2 in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.
- (7) In paragraph 7(6)(b) for “2025” substitute “2026”.
- (8) In paragraph 7(6), in the words after sub-paragraph (b)—
- (a) for “£99.75” substitute “£102.75”;
- (b) for “£14.95” substitute “£15.45”.
- (9) In paragraph 7 for Table 3 substitute Table 3 in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.
- (10) For paragraph 9(c) substitute—
(c) the amount of each of the first 21 of the instalments is to be £7.00 and the amount of each of the remaining 4 instalments is to be £6.50.
- (11) In paragraph 11(1) for “£90.00” substitute “£91.00”.
- (12) In paragraph 11(2) for “£72.00” substitute “£76.00”.
- (13) In paragraph 11(5) for “£33.00” substitute “£34.50”.
- (14) In paragraph 11(6) for “£12.50” substitute “£13.00”.
- (15) In paragraph 12(1) for “£90.00” substitute “£91.00”.
- (16) In paragraph 12(2)(b) for “£8.45” substitute “£8.90”.
- (17) In paragraph 12(3)(b)—
- (a) for “£10.57” substitute “£11.13”;
- (b) for “£10.51” substitute “£11.09”.
- (18) In paragraph 12(4)(b)—
- (a) for “£14.09” substitute “£14.84”;
- (b) for “£14.05” substitute “£14.80”.
- (19) for paragraph 12(5)(b) substitute—
(b) the amount of each of the 4 instalments is to be £22.25.
- (20) In paragraph 13(1) for “£72.00” substitute “£76.00”.
- (21) In paragraph 13(2)(a) for “£10.25” substitute “£10.40”.
- (22) In paragraph 13(2)(b), for “first 7 instalments” to the end, substitute “8 instalments to be £13.00;”.
- (23) In paragraph 13(2)(c)—
- (a) for “£17.09” substitute “£17.34”;
- (b) for “£17.05” substitute “£17.30”.
- (24) In paragraph 13(2)(d), for “first 3 instalments” to the end, substitute “4 instalments to be £26.00.”.
- (25) In paragraph 14(2)(a) for “£11.15” substitute “£11.70”.
- (26) In paragraph 14(2)(b)—
- (a) for “£13.94” substitute “£14.63”;
- (b) for “£13.92” substitute “£14.59”.
- (27) In paragraph 14(2)(c), for “first 5 instalments” to the end, substitute “6 instalments to be £19.50;”.
- (28) In paragraph 14(2)(d), for “first 3 instalments” to the end, substitute “4 instalments to be £29.25.”.
- (29) In paragraph 15(2)(a) for “£12.45” substitute “£13.00”.
- (30) In paragraph 15(2)(b), for “first 7 instalments” to the end, substitute “8 instalments to be £16.25;”.
- (31) In paragraph 15(2)(c), for “6 instalments” to the end, substitute “first 5 instalments to be £21.67 and the final instalment to be £21.65;”.
- (32) In paragraph 15(2)(d), for “first 3 instalments” to the end, substitute “4 instalments to be £32.50.”.
- (33) In paragraph 16(1) for “£33.00” substitute “£34.50”.
- (34) In paragraph 16(2)(a) for “£14.15” substitute “£14.55”.
- (35) In paragraph 16(2)(b)—
- (a) for £17.69 substitute “£18.19”;
- (b) for £17.67 substitute “£18.17”.
- (36) In paragraph 16(2)(c), for “first 5 instalments” to the end, substitute “6 instalments to be £24.25;”.
- (37) In paragraph 16(2)(d)—
- (a) for £35.38 substitute “£36.38”;
- (b) for £35.36 substitute “£36.36”.
- (38) In paragraph 17(1) for “£12.50” substitute “£13.00”.
- (39) In paragraph 17(2)(a) for “£16.20” substitute “£16.70”.
- (40) In paragraph 17(2)(b), for “8 instalments” to the end, substitute “first 7 instalments to be £20.88 and the final instalment to be £20.84;”.
- (41) In paragraph 17(2)(c), for “6 instalments” to the end, substitute “first 5 instalments to be £27.84 and the final instalment to be £27.80;”.
- (42) In paragraph 17(2)(d) for “40.50” substitute “£41.75”.
- (43) In paragraph 21 for Table 1 substitute Table 1 in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.
- (44) In paragraph 21 for Table 2 substitute Table 2 in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.
Amendment of Schedule 5
5
- (1) Schedule 5 (TV licence fees for hotels and hospitality areas and mobile units) is amended as follows.
- (2) In paragraph 1, in the definition of “relevant amount”—
- (a) in paragraph (a) for “£58.50” substitute “£60.50”;
- (b) in paragraph (b) for “£174.50” substitute “£180.00”.
- (3) In paragraph 3(1)(a) for “£58.50” substitute “£60.50”.
- (4) In paragraph 3(1)(b) for “£174.50” substitute “£180.00”.
Schedule 1
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | Column 6 | Column 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date by which the instalment is to be paid | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment |
| Date on which the licence is issued (“the issue date”) | £102.75 | £96.15 | £88.20 | £78.55 | £66.40 | £50.85 |
| The last day of the period of 1 month beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.45 | £16.77 | £18.36 | £20.29 | £22.72 | £25.83 |
| The last day of the period of 2 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.45 | £16.77 | £18.36 | £20.29 | £22.72 | £25.83 |
| The last day of the period of 3 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.45 | £16.77 | £18.36 | £20.29 | £22.72 | £25.83 |
| The last day of the period of 4 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.45 | £16.77 | £18.36 | £20.29 | £22.72 | £25.83 |
| The last day of the period of 5 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.45 | £16.77 | £18.36 | £20.29 | £22.72 | £25.83 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | Column 6 | Column 7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Date by which the instalment is to be paid | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment |
| Date on which the licence is issued (“the issue date”) | £105.00 | £98.20 | £90.00 | £80.00 | £67.50 | £51.45 |
| The last day of the period of 1 month beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.00 | £16.36 | £18.00 | £20.00 | £22.50 | £25.71 |
| The last day of the period of 2 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.00 | £16.36 | £18.00 | £20.00 | £22.50 | £25.71 |
| The last day of the period of 3 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.00 | £16.36 | £18.00 | £20.00 | £22.50 | £25.71 |
| The last day of the period of 4 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.00 | £16.36 | £18.00 | £20.00 | £22.50 | £25.71 |
| The last day of the period of 5 months beginning on the day immediately following the issue date | £15.00 | £16.36 | £18.00 | £20.00 | £22.50 | £25.71 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | ||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ||
| Date by which the instalment is to be paid | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | Amount of instalment payment | ||
| Date on which the licence is issued (“the issue date”) | £30.00 | £36.00 | £45.00 | £60.00 | ||
| The first day of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the licence is issued | £30.00 | £36.00 | £45.00 | £60.00 | ||
| The first day of the second calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the licence is issued | £30.00 | £36.00 | £45.00 | £60.00 | ||
| The first day of the third calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the licence is issued | £30.00 | £36.00 | £45.00 | |||
| The first day of the fourth calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the licence is issued | £30.00 | £36.00 | ||||
| The first day of the fifth calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the licence is issued | £30.00 |
Schedule 2
| Issue fee | Number of further instalments | Amount of each further instalment |
|---|---|---|
| £7.00 | 25 | £6.92 |
| £7.20 | 24 | £7.20 |
| £7.50 | 23 | £7.50 |
| £7.96 | 22 | £7.82 |
| £8.22 | 21 | £8.18 |
| £8.60 | 20 | £8.57 |
| £9.00 | 19 | £9.00 |
| £9.54 | 18 | £9.47 |
| £10.00 | 17 | £10.00 |
| £10.72 | 16 | £10.58 |
| £11.25 | 15 | £11.25 |
| £12.00 | 14 | £12.00 |
| £12.95 | 13 | £12.85 |
| £13.92 | 12 | £13.84 |
| Issue fee | Number of further instalments | Amount of each further instalment |
| --- | --- | --- |
| £15.00 | 11 | £15.00 |
| £16.40 | 10 | £16.36 |
| £18.00 | 9 | £18.00 |
| £20.00 | 8 | £20.00 |
| £22.50 | 7 | £22.50 |
| £25.74 | 6 | £25.71 |
| £30.00 | 5 | £30.00 |
Signed
Lisa Nandy — Secretary of State — Department for Culture, Media and Sport — 3rd February 2026
We consent:
Stephen Morgan — Christian Wakeford — Two of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury — 4th February 2026
Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Explanatory Note
These Regulations amend the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/692) by providing for increases in—
the amount payable for most categories of TV licence;
the amount of each instalment for certain categories of TV licence which are payable in instalments.
In summary—
the amount usually payable for a colour TV licence is increased from £174.50 to £180.00 and that for a black and white TV licence is increased from £58.50 to £60.50 (see regulations 3 and 5);
the instalments for a premium instalment TV licence are increased so that the total amount payable is increased from £179.50 to £185.00 (see regulation 4(1) and (2));
the instalments for a budget instalment TV licence are increased so that the total amount payable is increased from £174.50 to £180.00 (see regulation 4(1) and (3) to (9));
the instalments for an easy entry TV licence are increased so that the total amount payable is increased from £174.50 to £180.00 (see regulation 4(1) and (10) to (42));
the instalments for a simple payment TV licence are increased so that the total amount payable is increased from £174.50 to £180.00 (see regulation 4(1), (43) and (44)).
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
Footnotes
[^f00001]: 2003 c. 21.
[^f00002]: S.I. 2003/3195, amended by S.I. 2006/3325; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant. Article 6 of the Order extends section 402(3) of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) to Guernsey.
[^f00003]: S.I. 2003/3197, amended by S.I. 2006/3324; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant. Article 6 of the Order extends section 402(3) of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) to Jersey.
[^f00004]: S.I. 2003/3198, amended by S.I. 2007/278; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant. Article 6 of the Order extends sections 365 and 402(3) of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) to the Isle of Man.
[^f00005]: S.I. 2004/307. Article 4 of the Order extends, with the modifications set out in paragraph 3 of the Schedule to the Order, section 365 of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) to Guernsey.
[^f00006]: S.I. 2004/308, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations. Article 4 of the Order extends, with the modifications set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to that Order, section 365 of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) to Jersey.
[^f00007]: S.I. 2004/692, amended by S.I. 2005/606, 2006/619, 2007/718, 2008/643, 2009/505, 2010/640, 2017/221, 2018/219, 339, 2019/151, 2020/80, 160, 2021/124, 227, 2024/150 and 2025/133; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant to these Regulations.
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