If you watch or record shows as they're being shown on telly in the UK ('live TV'), you need to be covered by a TV licence. You also need one if you use BBC iPlayer – see below.

What many may not realise is that this is the case regardless of the device you're watching on – according to research published by TV Licensing, over 31% of students don't know watching live TV on a mobile phone requires a licence (though in most cases you don't need two if you already have one).

So whether you're watching live TV on a television, computer, tablet, games console, smartphone or any other device, you'll need to pay the fee.

However, you do not need a TV licence if you only watch content after it's been shown on television – UNLESS it's on iPlayer. TV programmes downloaded or streamed after broadcast on other catch-up services are fine without one.

You can buy or renew your TV licence online on the TV Licensing website.

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