New TV Licensing Guide Helps Managers and Staff Stay on Track for One-off Summer of Sport

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TV Licensing

28 May, 2012, 16:43 GMT

LONDON, May 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Workplace viewing guide provides information

on watching television in the workplace

This year's summer of sport will be extra special. The TV will provide a tantalisingly tempting selection of entertainment - but much of it will take place during business hours.

With Euro 2012, Wimbledon and - of course - the Olympics about to hit our screens, managers may be worrying about productivity and wondering how to ensure staff are aware of their workplace rules on TV watching.  Many staff will be desperate to tune in to the live action in their favourite sport, and visitors may simply expect to be able to watch the top events.

To help businesses stay on track and avoid unnecessary last-minute disappointment for all concerned, TV Licensing has for the first time produced a handy guide to assist harmony in the workplace.

The TV Licensing guide on TV in the workplace, can be adapted to suit any location - whether viewing is allowed or not. It is designed to clarify for all those at work where, when and how staff can watch live TV at work.

Many of this summer's sporting events are taking place between 8am and 7pm so could be a big draw for would-be workplace viewers. They include Euro 2012 games, Wimbledon matches, and - for example - at the Olympics:

    3pm   Monday 30 July
                           Men's Synchronised Platform Diving
                           (Tom Daley)

    10am  Friday 3 August
                           Women's Athletics opening event Heptathlon
                           100m hurdles
                           (Jessica Ennis)
    10am  Tuesday 7 August 
                           Men's Athletics 200m first round
                           (Usain Bolt)
 
                           Cycling Men's Keirin (Track Cycling)
 
    (Sir Chris Hoy)

However, research* indicates that while 66% of businesses provide internet access, only 12% allow staff to watch online.

A TV Licence is needed for watching or recording any programme as it is shown on television, so viewing sports at work will mean the business needs to be licensed to avoid risking breaking the law, a prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

"This guide helps everybody in the workplace be clear about whether they can watch programmes as they are being shown on TV at work, however they watch. We know that managers up and down the country will be thinking about whether they want to allow employees or visitors to watch. So we designed this simple guide for them to use to let staff and visitors know if the premises are licensed or not, and what their viewing policy is.

"We want to encourage businesses to get licensed in time for the summer of sport if people are going to viewing live TV in the workplace," said Elly Button, of TV Licensing.

John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

"Small firms across the country will be planning with their staff whether or not they will be watching the Games in the workplace. This guide provides clear advice on what viewing policies are in place for staff and visitors. It is a helpful tool for those staff that want to watch the sports this summer at work."

'The policy on watching TV at this address' guide can be downloaded and printed from TV Licensing's website: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk

If your business doesn't need a TV Licence, please let us know at http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk. Then we can remove your organisation from our list of unlicensed addresses.

* Harris Interactive business to business research into 600 small and medium-sized businesses in the UK December 2011

[ENDS]

Notes to editors

Summer of sport dates:

UEFA Euro 2012:    Friday 8 June - Sunday 1 July

Wimbledon:        Monday 25 June - Sunday 8 July

Olympics:        Friday 27 July - Sunday 12 August

Paralympics:    Wednesday 29 August - Sunday 9 September

Further research results:

  • Only one in three (34%)* of businesses are aware that being unlicensed can lead to court appearance
  • But one in five employers (20%) felt they may lose custom if they were caught without a TV Licence*
  • Most employers (58%) said they would be embarrassed to be caught without a TV Licence*

* Harris Interactive business to business research into 600 small and medium-sized businesses in the UK December 2011

If anyone on business premises watches or records programmes as they are shown on TV, they need to be covered by a valid TV Licence. This is the case irrespective of the channel being watched or the device being used. This includes the use of any TV receiving device including a TV set, computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/Blue Ray recorder.

  • Most businesses need only one TV Licence. A business may need more than one licence depending on the type of business and how it operates.  If a business has more than one premises, or there are areas of the business site which are separate units, or if any part of the premises is sub-let to another business, each will need to be separately licensed.  Special conditions apply to pubs and hotels and holiday parks, and organisations planning a large scale screening; please see our website for details.
  • Using television equipment to receive or record television programmes as they are being shown without the correct licence is a criminal offence.  If caught, owners or managers could face a court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000 per offence, plus court costs. Those found guilty are also required to buy a TV Licence or they could face a second prosecution.
  • Even if employees or visitors use their own mobile device (unplugged) to watch live TV on the premises, they will need to be covered by a TV Licence, either for the business or at their home address. If their device is plugged into the mains, then the business premises need to be covered by a current TV Licence.
  • More than 2,700 businesses were caught watching TV without a licence across the UK during 2010 and 2011.
  • A colour TV Licence costs £145.50, and a black and white one £49.00.

When is a licence not needed?

You do not need a licence for business premises if the TV equipment is never used to receive or record television programme services, but is only used for closed circuit monitoring or to watch pre-recorded videos. If your business doesn't need a TV Licence, please let us know at http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk. Then we can remove your organisation from our list of unlicensed addresses. We may visit to confirm this.

TV Licensing Press Office on +44-(0)20-8752-6606