TV licensing regulations are facing a shake up from next month, when viewers will need a licence to watch or download BBC Programmes on demand.

A survey by TV licensing, carried out in advance of the regulation change, suggests there may be confusion around exactly which viewing habits will be affected by the change.

When the new law comes in on September 1, viewers will need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or download BBC programmes on demand – including catch up TV – on BBC iPlayer, no matter how they access it.

However, the vast majority of households have a licence so are already covered.

‘Catch up’ and ‘On Demand’ were the most well understood terms with 9 out of 10 of those surveyed in the South East able to identify the correct definition from a selection.

However many failed to realise the term ‘on demand’ includes three components; catch up TV; exclusive programmes only available online; and watching a programme ‘on demand’ before it is shown on TV.

Ben Craig, TV Licensing spokesperson, London and the South East said: "After that date, you will need to be covered by a TV Licence to download or watch BBC programmes on demand - including catch up TV – on BBC iPlayer. This applies to all devices.

“The change will not affect the huge majority of households which are already licensed. Fewer than two per cent of households only watch catch up - and only those watching BBC iPlayer as part of their catch up and on demand viewing will need to buy a licence from September.”

You will not need a TV Licence to download or watch programmes on demand from other providers, such as YouTube, Netflix, ITV Hub, All 4 or Demand 5.

All unlicensed households are currently being mailed about the law change.