Disney+ users could face staggering £1,000 fine if they don’t follow little-known streaming rule

Film and TV fanatics who use Disney+ are being warned that they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they don’t follow a little-known rule.

The streaming platform is home to a host of favourite titles and now seems to be drawing in a brand new audience after their most recent addition.

Football fans, it's time to rejoice, as Disney+ have managed to get their hands on the rights to the UEFA Women's Champions League across Europe for the next season.

That means viewers can watch every match live without having to fork out any extra cash.

And what’s more - the announcement follows a five-year deal in which The Walt Disney Company has secured live rights to the competition from 2025/26 to 2029/30.

Disney+ users are being warned that they could face a hefty fine if they don't follow one specific rule (Getty Images/Wang Yukun)

ESPN, Disney’s multi-platform sports brand, is also going to be producing all live matches for Disney+ with commentary in multiple languages and pre and post-game programming on offer.

But, as lovers of the game rush to secure their memberships, they need to watch out for a sneaky rule that could catch people out.

Because the matches will be streamed live, fans will need to make sure they have a TV licence in order to watch.

It’s no secret that us Brits like to moan about government TV licences, which at the moment cost £174.50 per year.

You need a licence to watch live on any channel, pay TV service or streaming service, which even includes recording and downloading on any device.

But not everyone agrees with the fee, with many continuing to watch TV guilt-free without one and spending their days risking a visit from the dreaded officers.

Fans will be able to stream the matches live from Disney+ next season (Soccrates Images / Contributor)

If someone from TV licensing does comes knocking at the door and you’re caught without one, you could have to fork out a whopping £1,000.

However, if you’re not planning on tuning into the footie, don’t panic - this doesn’t affect you and like normal everything that isn’t streamed live is fine and you don’t need a licence to watch it.

The subject has caused confusion in the past as most people assume that you don't need a licence at all for streaming platforms.

Earlier this year, a similar situation saw WWE make the move over to Netflix with some shows being broadcast live, meaning a TV licence was needed to stream.

So, while you're enjoying the football next season, just make sure you're not one of the people who get caught out.

Karl Holmes, General Manager at Disney+ EMEA, said of the new partnership: “The UEFA Women’s Champions League is the very best in football performance, dedication, and passion.

“Bringing this incredible tournament to Disney+ customers and audiences speaks to our commitment to delivering a huge range of bold and dynamic entertainment.

“As women’s football continues to grow with audiences worldwide, we’re proud to offer the thrill and excitement of every single match to Disney+ customers across Europe, at no extra cost.”