When streaming services came along, they were heralded as the dawn of a low-cost, convenient era of entertainment.

But as the years have passed, as more and more companies launch their own platforms and content slowly segregates into multiple subscriptions, all increasing in price annually, the streaming revolution is starting to get expensive.

And this month, it was reported that the government is considering alternative funding options for the TV Licence, including a ‘streaming tax’ which could see Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video users forced to make a contribution towards the upkeep of BBC services, even if they don’t watch live TV.

If this rule were to be put into place – and it’s only one suggestion right now – then households looking to access every major available service could be forced to pay a staggering £1,401.84 per year including the TV Licence fee.

How much every UK streaming service costs for a year with no ads: 

The prices for each service’s cheapest ad-free tier, in at least HD, for one year of subscribing breaks down thus (prices correct as of February 5, 2025, for new customers):

Disney Plus – One of Standard HD year without ads – £89.90 per year (£129.90 for 4K Ultra HD).

Netflix – £131.88 for a year (Standard HD – no ads), or £215.88 for 4K Ultra HD.

Amazon Prime Video – £130.88 without ads (£95 for a year, plus £2.99 per month for 12 months to go ad-free, adding £35.88). Includes 4K

Paramount Plus – £70.99 per year without ads, includes 4K

Apple TV – £107.88 per year – no ads and 4K included

NowTV Entertainment & Cinema – £209.88 with no ads (£13.99 for the first 6 months, then £19.99 for the second six months. Also includes £6 a month Boost to remove ads, totalling £60).

You can use all of these services with no ads and no need for a TV Licence unless you watch any live content on them (so for example, watching a Champions League game as it’s broadcast on Amazon Prime Video WOULD need a TV Licence, but watching highlights of the Champions League on demand on the platform would not).

In total, these services are – £741.41 for the full year. Adding the £174.50 TV Licence to these would bring the cost to £915.91.

If you add sports, then:

NOW TV Sports (which is from Sky Sports) – £365.94 (£26 for the first six months, then £34.99 for six months).

DAZN, which is £119.99 for a year.

Brings the total to £1,401.84 with NowTV Sky Sports or just £1,091.41 with just DAZN, but of course you always needed a TV Licence to stream live sports.

If the TV Licence fee was expanded to be made payable to cover using any streaming service, then the £174.50 cost (from April 2025) would bring the total to £915.91 for all non-sports ad-free streaming services and £1,404.84 for all streaming services including live sport.