Colour TV Licence
Not offered monthly
/ mois
Required to watch or record live TV on any channel or service and to watch BBC iPlayer.
Required to watch or record live TV on any channel or service and to watch BBC iPlayer.
Billoff unlimited subscription: £0.79 promo for 48h, then £43.12 per month with no commitment
Cancel BBC Licence Fee the easy way
We generate and send your cancellation letter to BBC Licence Fee by registered mail
- No printing required
- Tracked electronic delivery
- Ready in 2 minutes
Preview of your letter
PreviewSender
Recipient
BBC Licence Fee
TV Licensing
DL98 1TL Darlington United Kingdom
Digital registered letter with receipt of acceptance
Subject : Cancellation of BBC Licence Fee agreement
Dear Sir or Madam,
This letter constitutes formal notice that I wish to terminate the agreement relating to the BBC Licence Fee service.
This notice expresses a firm, clear, and unequivocal intention to cancel the agreement, effective at the earliest permissible date or in accordance with any applicable contractual notice period.
Please take all appropriate measures to:
– cease any billing from the effective cancellation date;
– confirm in writing that this request has been processed;
– and, where applicable, provide a final statement or confirmation of balance.
This cancellation is sent by certified electronic mail. Sending, timestamping, and content integrity are recorded, producing reliable electronic evidence. You therefore have everything needed to process this cancellation in line with rules on written notice and contractual freedom.
Under applicable personal data protection rules, I also request that you:
– delete any data not required for legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm effective erasure where privacy rules apply.I retain a full copy of this notice along with proof of mailing.
Sincerely,
This letter constitutes formal notice that I wish to terminate the agreement relating to the BBC Licence Fee service.
This notice expresses a firm, clear, and unequivocal intention to cancel the agreement, effective at the earliest permissible date or in accordance with any applicable contractual notice period.
Please take all appropriate measures to:
– cease any billing from the effective cancellation date;
– confirm in writing that this request has been processed;
– and, where applicable, provide a final statement or confirmation of balance.
This cancellation is sent by certified electronic mail. Sending, timestamping, and content integrity are recorded, producing reliable electronic evidence. You therefore have everything needed to process this cancellation in line with rules on written notice and contractual freedom.
Under applicable personal data protection rules, I also request that you:
– delete any data not required for legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm effective erasure where privacy rules apply.I retain a full copy of this notice along with proof of mailing.
Sincerely,
Signature
- Tracked deliveryRegistered electronic mail
- Secure dataEncrypted and protected
- Compliant and effectiveUp-to-date legal template
BBC Licence Fee
Step-by-step 2026 guide to cancel your BBC Licence Fee, claim refunds, and know your rights. Includes phone, online steps and savings compared to alternatives.
https://tvlicencechecker.co.uk
Darlington, United Kingdom
Tv Streaming
Cancellation at a glance
| fastest method (name it + why) | Online via TV Licensing website - complete the refund and cancellation request and the 'No Licence Needed' declaration to stop the licence quickly |
| effective delay | Refunds processed and issued within 21 days of receiving your application |
| notice period | You can apply up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the TV Licence |
| cancellation fee (amount or 0) | 0 |
| minimum commitment | 0 months - licence is annual but there is no minimum extra commitment beyond the paid period |
| phone + hours | 0300 790 6071 - Monday to Friday |
| postal address for registered letter | BBC Licence Fee, TV Licensing, DL98 1TL Darlington, United Kingdom |
What is BBC Licence Fee
Definition
The TV Licence is the legal permission required to use television receiving equipment to watch live TV on any channel, view live streams online and to use BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
Who collects it and why
The BBC Licence Fee Unit collects the licence fee on behalf of the BBC to fund public service broadcasting. The licence funds BBC TV, radio and online services, and collection has been administered by the unit since 1991.
Company facts
The following facts summarise the service.
| Full legal name | BBC Licence Fee Unit |
| Responsible since | 1991 |
| Subscribers | 23.3 million |
| 2025-26 finances | See BBC annual report 2025-26 for detailed figures |
Official sources: BBC licence fee and the government announcement on the 2026-27 fee Cost of TV licence fee set for 2026/27.
How to cancel BBC Licence Fee
| method | steps summary | estimated time | proof obtained | difficulty |
| Web | Complete the refund and cancellation request and the 'No Licence Needed' declaration on the TV Licensing website | Refund issued within 21 days; application can be submitted up to 14 days before you no longer need it | Refund confirmation and payment (cheque or BACS) when applicable | Easy |
| Phone | Call the number printed on your licence or 0300 790 6071 to request cancellation or refund | Agent confirmation during call; refund processed within 21 days | Phone confirmation and refund (cheque or BACS) | Easy |
| Post | Send a signed cancellation or 'No Licence Needed' declaration to the TV Licensing postal address | Postal delivery time plus up to 21 days for refund | Refund by cheque or BACS when eligible | Medium |
| Direct Debit handling | If you pay by Direct Debit TV Licensing will cancel the Direct Debit for you when cancelling the licence | Direct Debit stopped by TV Licensing after cancellation request | Confirmation from TV Licensing | Medium |
Web
- Open the TV Licensing cancellation and refund section and complete the refund and cancellation request.
- Complete the 'No Licence Needed' declaration form on the same site; this confirms you no longer need a licence.
- If eligible for a refund, TV Licensing will process it and issue payment within 21 days by cheque or BACS.
Phone
- Call 0300 790 6071, Monday to Friday. Use the number printed on your licence if different.
- Explain that you are cancelling and, if applicable, request a refund explaining the date you stopped needing the licence.
- If you pay by Direct Debit, do not cancel it yourself; TV Licensing will cancel it where required.
Post
- Write a signed 'No Licence Needed' declaration including your licence number and date you stopped needing the licence.
- Send by registered post to: BBC Licence Fee, TV Licensing, DL98 1TL Darlington, United Kingdom.
- Keep a copy and proof of postage; refunds, if eligible, are issued within 21 days of receipt.
Direct Debit note
- Do not cancel your Direct Debit yourself if you want a refund, want to change licence type, or want your payment scheme changed.
- TV Licensing will cancel your Direct Debit for you when your licence is cancelled or changed.
Official cancellation guidance is available from the TV Licensing pages and the UK government information on licences: gov.uk - TV licence and TV Licensing cancellation instructions linked from the TV Licensing site.
Cancel by reason
Blind concession or eligible for Free TV Licence
Rule: If you become eligible for a blind concession you can apply for a refund at any time and for any length of time left on your licence, even if the licence has already expired and regardless of how long ago you became eligible.
Required proof: Official documentation confirming blind concession eligibility (for example, evidence issued by the relevant authority). Applicable law: Communications Act 2003 and TV Licensing rules as set out on the TV Licensing information pages.
Household eligible for Free TV Licence (age 75 with Pension Credit or in residential care)
Rule: Individuals aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit, and people in specified residential care arrangements, are eligible for a free TV Licence. If you become eligible, you may apply for a replacement or refund according to TV Licensing guidance.
Required proof: Proof of age and Pension Credit entitlement or proof of residential care status. Applicable law: TV Licensing eligibility rules and public law governing the licence.
Refund because you will not need the licence before it expires
Rule: You can apply for a refund if you will not need your licence again before it expires and you have at least one complete month left on it. You may apply up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the licence.
Required proof: Date you stopped needing a licence and licence details. Refunds are processed and issued within 21 days, by cheque or BACS. Applicable law: TV Licensing refund policy as published.
Moving, death, or other personal circumstances
Rule: TV Licensing does not publish a full list of documentary requirements for moving or bereavement on the pages referenced in our research. For moving abroad or the death of a licence holder, contact TV Licensing directly by phone or post and provide supporting documents such as proof of address change or a death certificate.
Required proof: Not published by BBC Licence Fee - contact TV Licensing for the exact documents required. Applicable law: Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations.
Cooling-off and contract end
Rule: The TV Licence is a statutory permission and the issuing of a licence is not treated as a sale of goods or services covered by consumer contract cooling-off rules. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 14-day cooling-off does not apply to the grant of a TV Licence as a public law permission. For refunds and cancellations, follow TV Licensing procedures.
Applicable law: Communications Act 2003 and guidance on the legal framework for TV licensing. See gov.uk - TV licence and legal framework documents.
Negotiate or save
Before you cancel: negotiation and retention
Retention offers by TV Licensing are not described in the official guidance used for this page and no specific standard retention discounts are published by TV Licensing in the research dataset. To ask for alternatives, contact TV Licensing by phone at 0300 790 6071 or submit the online refund and cancellation request and ask the agent or form handler about payment schemes, switching to a different licence type, or pausing payments.
What cancelling saves you - calculations
Annual cost of the main plans:
- Colour TV Licence: £180 per year.
- Black and White TV Licence: £60.50 per year.
- Free TV Licence: £0 per year (for eligible people).
If you cancel a Colour Licence and replace BBC access with discovery+ (the cheapest competitor listed), your saving is:
£180 - £47.88 = £132.12 per year.
If you cancel a Colour Licence and replace it with NOW Entertainment & HBO Max Membership:
£180 - £83.88 = £96.12 per year.
If you cancel a Black and White Licence entirely (for example, because you no longer watch live TV):
£60.50 saved per year.
Cheapest real alternative from the competitor list: discovery+ Entertainment at £3.99 per month, annual price £47.88. These alternatives do not remove the legal requirement to hold a TV Licence if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
Legal protections and escalation
Key laws and regulator
Primary legislation relevant to TV licensing includes the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (as amended). It is an offence under Section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a valid TV Licence. See the statutory provision: Communications Act 2003 - Section 365.
Consumer law and limits
The issuance of a TV Licence does not constitute a sale of goods or services and so is not governed by consumer contract remedies in the same way as commercial subscriptions. Consumer protections that apply to commercial subscriptions include the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (14-day cooling-off where applicable), but the TV Licence relationship is subject primarily to public law remedies and specific TV Licensing rules.
Escalation process
1. Contact TV Licensing first by phone or through their online forms to raise your issue.
2. If unresolved, seek advice from Citizens Advice for guidance on public law complaints and consumer options.
3. If the problem relates to fairness in trading or unclear auto-renewal terms for a commercial subscription payment, consider raising the issue with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) or the appropriate sector ombudsman. For card payments, check chargeback or Section 75 rights with your card issuer where applicable.
What to do after cancelling BBC Licence Fee
Access and services
After you cancel, you must not use BBC iPlayer or watch live TV on any channel or via live streams. Use of iPlayer or live TV without a valid licence is an offence under Section 363 of the Communications Act 2003.
Final billing and refunds
Refunds are issued within 21 days of TV Licensing receiving your application, either by cheque or BACS. If you paid by Direct Debit, TV Licensing will cancel the Direct Debit for you; do not cancel it yourself if you want a refund or to change your payment scheme.
Re-activation
If you need a licence again later you must buy a new TV Licence. Keep proof of any previous cancellation and refunds if you need to demonstrate past payments or eligibility.
Next steps and practical checklist
Follow this checklist before and after you cancel to avoid mistakes and ensure you get any refund due.
- Locate your TV Licence number and payment records.
- Decide the exact date you stopped needing the licence; you may apply up to 14 days before that date.
- If eligible for a refund, complete the online refund and cancellation request and the 'No Licence Needed' declaration on the TV Licensing website, or call 0300 790 6071.
- If you pay by Direct Debit, do not cancel the Direct Debit yourself; TV Licensing will cancel it when you request licence cancellation.
- Keep copies of any forms, emails, call reference numbers or proof of postage to the postal address: BBC Licence Fee, TV Licensing, DL98 1TL Darlington, United Kingdom.
- Allow up to 21 days for refund processing; check whether refund will be by BACS or cheque.
- If you become eligible for a Free TV Licence (age 75 with Pension Credit or blind concession), gather the required proof documents before applying.
Plans
Black and White TV Licence
Not offered monthly
/ mois
For black and white TV sets to watch or record live TV and to use BBC iPlayer.
For black and white TV sets to watch or record live TV and to use BBC iPlayer.
Free TV Licence
£0
/ mois
Available for individuals aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit, and for people who are blind or in residential care.
Available for individuals aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit
and for people who are blind or in residential care.
No commitment. Billoff helps you cancel or adjust your BBC Licence Fee subscription without hunting down every detail alone.
Pros & cons
Pros
Covers all live TV channels and live streams plus BBC iPlayer under a single annual fee.
Clear official procedures for refunds and cancellations available online and by phone.
If eligible for a blind concession, refunds can be applied for at any time and for any period left on the licence.
Cons
Licence is required by law to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer; failure to hold a licence where required is a criminal offence under the Communications Act 2003.
The licence relationship is subject to public law and not standard consumer contract remedies for sales of services.
Official guidance warns against cancelling Direct Debit yourself if you want a refund; cancelling Direct Debit does not cancel the licence.
Competitors & alternatives
Below are common alternatives people compare for this type of subscription.
NOW Entertainment & HBO Max Membership
£6.99
/ mois
Access to Sky Originals and HBO Max content without a full Sky TV subscription.
discovery+ Entertainment
£3.99
/ mois
Focus on factual entertainment and discovery+ Originals.
British IPTV
£10.99
/ mois
Large number of UK and international channels often at lower cost than traditional providers.
IPTV UK
£9.99
/ mois
Extensive channel lineup including premium sports channels at lower monthly cost.
Countries where BBC Licence Fee is available
BBC Licence Fee is available in many countries. Here are several frequently cited markets:
UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)Channel IslandsIsle of Man
Subscription & cancellation
What you should know about BBC Licence Fee subscription and cancellation terms:
Subscription type
Automatic monthly or yearly renewal. Billing is handled by the primary account or the signup platform.
Renewal
Renewal runs automatically at the end of each billing period while the subscription stays active.
Cancellation
Cancel from account settings or the app store used at signup. Access usually continues until the paid period ends.
Refunds
Refunds depend on billing date, country, and payment channel.
Family plan
The family plan admin can add or remove members per the service’s household and age rules.
Commitment
Plan changes and cancellations follow the provider’s terms and local law.
Billoff simplifies cancellation: we handle the cancellation process for your BBC Licence Fee subscription, whichever payment method you use.
Manage your BBC Licence Fee subscription
Cancel, adjust, or compare options in a few clicks.