TV licence warning to anyone using Amazon Fire TV Sticks to watch shows

Amazon's popular Fire TV Stick devices have hit the headlines a lot lately. The little gadgets work by being plugged into a TV HDMI port and giving streamers the ability to watch services you’ve subscribed to like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

But criminals have been selling cheaper so-called ‘dodgy’ devices that have been tampered with to allow people to watch the likes of Sky Sports and other subscription services for a cheaper price, Wales Online reports. 

The authorities have been growing wise to the illicit trade and a series of raids have recently taken place to target those behind the illegality. A common question those who legally use the devices may face is whether or not they need a TV licence when using a Firestick to watch shows.

The answer isn't always crystal clear and it depends on what you’re watching. TV Licensing says: “You don’t need a TV Licence to own or possess a television set. However, if you use it to watch or record programmes as they are being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or to download or watch BBC programmes on demand, including catch-up TV, on BBC iPlayer, then you need a TV Licence in order to do so.”

You will need to pay for a TV Licence in order to watch any live TV service or streaming service, this includes apps on a Firestick such as ITVX, Channel 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now or Sky Go.

In circumstances where you don't need a licence, it’s important to let TV Licensing know. A TV Licence costs £159 a year but you can spread the cost with a Direct Debit or pay by debit/credit card.

Right now, Firesticks are on sale as part of Amazon’s Spring Deal Days. Standard Firesticks that haven't been tampered with cost £34.99, down from £44,99, the lite version is £24.99 down from £34.99, while an advanced version is £44.99 down from £69.99.

Argos has also matched the prices with a number of reductions on Firesticks.