**Netflix’s Live ‘Tudum’ Event Forces UK Viewers to Secure a TV Licence or Risk £1,000 Fine**
Netflix subscribers in the UK are being urged to ensure they have a valid television licence this weekend if they plan to tune in to the streaming giant’s latest live spectacle, or face potentially hefty penalties. The move comes as Netflix continues to diversify its content delivery, recently venturing into live broadcasts, which now bring its service under the remit of the UK’s long-standing TV licensing regulations.
On Sunday 1 June, at the early hour of 1am GMT, Netflix will stream its highly anticipated global event, ‘Tudum’. The event, designed to showcase and unveil exclusives about upcoming productions—including Hollywood names such as Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” “Happy Gilmore 2,” and future series of “Squid Game,” “Bridgerton,” “Wednesday” and “Stranger Things”—has generated palpable buzz among fans. However, UK viewers who intend to watch the live stream should be aware that legally, this live content falls squarely within the requirements for holding a TV licence.
According to UK law, any household watching or recording live television—regardless of the broadcaster or the platform—must possess a current TV licence. Traditionally, this law has meant those who restrict their viewing to on-demand content via streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney Plus have had no legal need to purchase a licence. On-demand titles, box sets, and films have generally been exempt, with the exception of watching or recording live programming on any platform or using BBC iPlayer.
This situation has shifted as Netflix increasingly experiments with live coverage, including recent forays into broadcasting popular WWE events. For ‘Tudum’ and any future live broadcasts provided by Netflix, viewers are required to ensure they are properly licenced, or they risk a fine that can reach up to £1,000.
The TV Licensing authority has reiterated the rules in response to the change. “A TV Licence is needed to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, and to use BBC iPlayer,” reads official guidance. It’s a relevant reminder at a time when the boundaries between traditional linear TV and digital streaming continue to blur, leaving many viewers uncertain about their legal obligations.
To clarify, a TV licence is necessary if you watch or record live television—whether that’s ITV, BBC, Channel 4, or now, a live Netflix broadcast. No licence is necessary if you exclusively watch on-demand or catch-up content through platforms such as All 4, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Netflix—unless, crucially, that content is being aired live.
Certain exemptions do exist, most notably for those aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit, making them eligible for a free TV licence instead of the standard annual fee of £174.50. The licensing authority advises those who believe they qualify for this exemption to get in touch directly for assistance, promising that applications will be processed as quickly as possible.
The Netflix ‘Tudum’ live stream marks a notable departure from the platform’s usual service model, and as streaming services invest more in real-time events, further changes in viewing habits—and, potentially, regulation—can be expected. The TV licensing landscape may become more complex as digital platforms stretch beyond static, on-demand libraries into the unpredictable arena of live programming.
For now, British Netflix subscribers who plan to join millions around the world in celebrating the company’s forthcoming slate are strongly advised to double-check their licence status. Failure to do so could result not only in missing some of the biggest upcoming blockbusters, but also in significant financial penalties.
As the media industry evolves, so too do the responsibilities of viewers. Staying informed and licenced remains key to enjoying this rapidly shifting digital landscape without falling foul of the law.