Fire Stick users face £1,000 fine for BBC channels

Amazon Fire Stick users have been warned about the possibility of a £1,000 fine for watching live TV channels. The warning comes after Amazon added ten BBC channels, including popular ones like BBC One and BBC News, to the "live" tab on Fire TV. Many Fire Stick users prefer streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ to avoid paying for a TV licence. The BBC's TV licence fee will increase to £174.50 starting April 1, 2025. To watch any live channels or use BBC iPlayer, viewers must have a TV licence, even with the new channel additions. Using Fire Sticks allows viewers to stream live TV over Wi-Fi instead of traditional cable. However, without a TV licence, viewers face the risk of a fine if caught watching live content. This is not the first time viewers were reminded of the licensing rules. Last year, similar warnings were issued when Netflix began showing live sports events. A representative from TV Licensing highlighted that viewers need a TV licence for all live content on streaming services. While users can watch non-live content on platforms like Netflix without a licence, watching anything live or on BBC iPlayer requires one. Fire TV Sticks help make older TVs smart by adding streaming options, and they are available through various retailers.