Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are set to finally enter a boxing ring with their headline bout live on Netflix. But for those tuning in from the United Kingdom, a £1,000 TV Licence warning comes with watching the hugely anticipated fight.
Iron Mike, the former undisputed world heavyweight champion, will go up against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday (16 November) with millions expected to tune in across the world.
Originally meant to take place on 20 July, the fight had to be rescheduled after Tyson ‘thought he was doing to die’ after suffering a rather terrifying health incident.
Fast-forward four months and everyone is ready to go at the second attempt, with fans chomping at the bit after Tyson and Paul sat down this week for a face-to-face.
With the fight taking place in the United States of America, it’ll be a rather unsociable fight time for UK viewers tuning in, with Paul and Tyson expected to complete their ring walks at 4am GMT on Saturday.
But if you’re set to tune in and watch it live, you face a £1,000 fine in the UK. And it is all to do with the TV Licence.
Netflix and live events
Netflix is doing more live events than ever before as part of its offerings to subscribers, with the WWE set to move to the streaming giant in 2025.
One recent event was The Netflix Slam, a tennis special between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, streamed live from Las Vegas. The Roast of Tom Brady also streamed live with comedians taking the p*ss out of Brady for hours on end.
And then there is the aforementioned Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight, which is now just days away.
Things have got heated between Tyson and Paul (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
TV Licence and Netflix
First thing is first, you don’t need to pay for a TV Licence to have Netflix.
If you watch its catalogue of films, television shows, or the true crime documentaries, keep watching and enjoying.
But the rules of the TV Licence state that you need to pay for one if you watch live television, or live content as it is streamed.
Earlier this year, the BBC – which is funded by the TV Licence – told LADbible that if you’re watching any live event on Netflix, you need a TV Licence.
It is the same if you’re watching live Premier League matches on Amazon Prime Video.
The BBC said: “A TV Licence is needed to watch live content on streaming services, watch or record a TV programme on any channel and when using BBC iPlayer. Further information is available on the TV Licensing website or via the customer services team, who can help with any queries.”
BBC HQ, funded by the TV Licence (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
What will happen to me if I don’t pay my TV Licence?
Historically, those who don’t pay for a TV Licence but watch live television are hauled before magistrates’ courts where they can face fines of £1,000.
It is the second most common crime in the country, behind driving offences.
Going forward, this could drastically change with the current Labour government saying it wants decriminalise non-payment.
Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, and Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, have highlighted that those prosecuted are ‘disproportionately’ women. A senior government source said: “The administrative burden of policing non-payment of the licence fee should not be falling on the taxpayer. It should be carved out. It’s not worth the hassle it creates.”
