BBC iPlayer Premium membership and what you get

BBC iPlayer Premium removes ads from BBC programmes and gives you access to some content earlier than the standard free service offers. The standard BBC iPlayer service — funded by the television licence fee — remains free to anyone in the UK with a valid licence. Premium is an optional paid tier on top of that.

With Premium, you watch BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, and CBeebies without interruption. You can also read programmes to watch offline on your phone or tablet, and you get early access to some boxsets before they air on linear television. The exact content available through Premium changes, as BBC releases new series and films regularly.

Premium does not give you access to content you cannot already watch on the free iPlayer. It changes how you watch — removing ads and letting you read — rather than unlocking a separate library. If you do not have a TV licence, you cannot use iPlayer at all, whether free or Premium.

Key Takeaways

  • BBC iPlayer Premium costs £5.99 per month and removes ads from BBC programmes you already have access to through the free service.
  • You must have a valid UK TV licence to use iPlayer Premium; the Premium subscription does not replace the licence fee.
  • Premium lets you read programmes to watch offline and gives early access to some boxsets, but does not unlock a separate content library.
  • You can cancel your Premium subscription at any time, and your access stops at the end of your current billing period.

Monthly cost and billing

BBC iPlayer Premium costs £5.99 per month in the UK. You pay through your iPlayer account using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. The charge renews on the same date each month unless you cancel.

Your first month begins when you set up Premium. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of that billing period — you are not charged for the next month. If you restart Premium later, you begin a new monthly cycle at the standard rate.

The BBC does not currently offer annual payment for Premium, only monthly billing. There is no free trial period.

How to set up Premium on your device

You start Premium through the BBC iPlayer app or website. On the app, open the menu, select "Settings", then look for the Premium option. On the website, log into your iPlayer account and find Premium in your account settings. Both routes ask you to enter payment details before the subscription begins.

Premium works across devices once you set it up on your account. If you watch iPlayer on your phone, tablet, computer, and television, you use the same Premium subscription on all of them — you do not pay per device. You must be signed into the same iPlayer account on each device.

If you share your iPlayer account with household members, they will see that Premium is active when they sign in. The BBC's terms state that iPlayer accounts are for personal use, though enforcement of multi-household sharing is limited in practice.

Downloading programmes and offline viewing

Premium members can read programmes to watch without an internet connection. This works on the iPlayer app for phones and tablets running iOS or Android. You cannot read on the website or on television apps.

Downloaded programmes stay on your device for a set period — usually 30 days from the broadcast date, though this varies by programme. Once that window closes, the file expires and you cannot watch it, even if you remain a Premium member. The BBC controls these expiry dates, not you.

Downloaded files take up storage space on your device. A typical hour-long programme uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB depending on video quality. You can delete downloaded programmes manually at any time to free up space.

Early access and boxset releases

Some BBC boxsets release on Premium before they air on linear television or the free iPlayer. The BBC decides which programmes get this treatment — it is not all new releases. When a boxset has early access, Premium members see it first, usually by a few days or weeks.

After the early access window ends, the same boxset becomes available on the free iPlayer. Premium does not give you permanent exclusive access to content; it gives you first access to some of it. The BBC publishes a schedule of upcoming Premium releases on the iPlayer website.

Cancelling Premium and what happens next

You cancel Premium through your iPlayer account settings. On the app, go to Settings and select the option to manage or cancel Premium. On the website, find the same option in your account page. The cancellation takes effect when ready, but you keep access until the end of your current billing period.

If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing date is the 20th, you watch Premium until the 20th without being charged again. After that date, your account reverts to the free iPlayer service. You can restart Premium at any time by setting up a new subscription.

Cancelling Premium does not delete your iPlayer account or your watch history. Your saved programmes and personalised recommendations remain, and you can still watch free content on iPlayer after Premium ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a TV licence to use BBC iPlayer Premium?

Yes. Premium is an add-on to the free iPlayer service, which requires a valid UK TV licence. If you do not have a licence, you cannot use iPlayer at all, whether free or Premium. The licence fee and Premium subscription are separate charges.

Can I watch Premium content on my smart TV?

Yes, if your TV has the iPlayer app installed. Premium works on most smart TVs, including Samsung, LG, Sony, and Roku models. Sign into your iPlayer account on the TV app using the same email and password you use on other devices, and Premium will be active. Some older TV models may not support the latest iPlayer app.

What happens to my downloaded programmes if I cancel Premium?

Downloaded programmes remain on your device after you cancel, but they expire on their scheduled date regardless of your subscription status. You can still watch them until they expire, but you cannot read new programmes once Premium ends.

Can I pause my Premium subscription instead of cancelling?

The BBC does not offer a pause or suspension option. You either have an active subscription or you do not. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel and restart later. Restarting begins a new monthly billing cycle at the standard rate.

Is Premium worth it if I only watch a few programmes a month?

That depends on how much you value ad-free viewing and offline downloads. Premium removes ads from all BBC content you watch, not just a few programmes. If you rarely read or watch live, the main benefit is ad removal. Compare that value against £5.99 per month to decide what makes sense for your viewing habits.