Urgent TV licence warning as weekly Netflix programme could see millions of Brits slapped with £1,000 fine

NETFLIX viewers have been issued an urgent TV licence warning as watching one weekly programme could see millions of Brits slapped with a £1,000 fine.

The streaming service recently changed the content it provides and became the exclusive home for WWE’s flagship weekly wrestling programme in the UK earlier this month.

Live episodes of WWE’s Raw programme began airing on Netflix on January 7 and continue to be broadcast at 1am every Tuesday.

Although Netflix subscribers already pay for the streaming service, there has been concern that watching a live broadcast may incur a fine in the UK.

Legal experts have warned that any form of live broadcasting in Britain requires a TV Licence by law, no matter what platform it is being used by the viewer.

Netflix has been branching into live content over the past few years, televising events such as a Chris Rock stand-up show in 2023 and a fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson last November.

Since most of Netflix’s content is on-demand, and not live, the majority of its subscribers will likely not need a TV Licence to use the service.

However, if you are interested in watching any live content on the platform, including WWE’s Raw shows, you will need a TV Licence to watch the broadcasts in the UK.

Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, confirmed: “Under UK law, any live television broadcast requires a valid TV Licence, regardless of the streaming platform.”

As Netflix continues to branch out further into live broadcasting, viewers will have to be careful to ensure they’re not breaking any licensing laws.

WWE Raw debuted on Netflix earlier this month in a show that featured stars such as The Rock, John Cena, and the reigning Undisputed WWE Championship Cody Rhodes.

Episodes are broadcast every Monday evening in the US, meaning the show airs to UK viewers in the early hours of Tuesdays at 1am.

Netflix will also broadcast WWE’s NXT and SmackDown shows live throughout each and every week.

If you watch any of these live broadcasts without a TV Licence, you risk being fined potentially thousands of pounds.

Those who violate the licensing law can face penalties of up to £1,000, with those living in Guernsey at risk of fine of up to £2,000.

While you cannot be imprisoned for evading the TV Licence, court-imposed fines resulting from non-payment could see you facing jail time.

Lawyer Daniel advised viewers to “stay informed on licensing changes as streaming platforms expand live broadcast offerings.”

While enforcement officers for the licence can carry out checks to ensure compliance, occupiers have “no legal obligation” to let them into their home.

Inspectors require either an injunction or a search warrant to be able to access your home, and many authorities now use signal scanners and other pieces of technology to try and detect evaders.

The cost of a standard TV Licence will rise by £5 up to £174.50 in April, although other groups receive subsidised prices.

If you are over 75 and receive Pension Credit, or live with a partner who does, you are entitled to a free TV Licence.

Those living in care homes or sheltered accommodation who are retired and over 60, or disabled, can grab their licence for just £7.50.

A 50 per cent discount is offered to anyone who is registered blind or lives with someone who is.