LONDON, July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

How businesses and staff can watch and work during the Olympics this summer

Zookeepers, office staff, shop workers and King Henry VIII* are among thousands of sports fans who will Stop, Watch and Cheer as they celebrate Olympic moments at work this summer.  

More than 2,500 hours of live Olympic's 2012 coverage will be shown over 17 days of the Games, most of it during working hours. According to TV Licensing, many workplaces are planning ahead, allowing staff to Stop, Watch and Cheer Team GB.

"While it won't be possible for every business, if staff want to enjoy the Games, they could talk to their managers to identify key televised Olympic events when they are allowed to stop work, gather around a licensed TV or computer to watch history in the making, and cheer on great sporting achievements," said Elly Button, spokesperson for TV Licensing.

Dr David Fletcher, Director of the Sport Psychology Support Service at Loughborough University, explained why the Olympics provides an opportunity to build team spirit at work.

"We all feel more motivated when we are part of a team and research shows that raising morale can increase productivity and boost good will. We're currently psychologically preparing some of Britain's athletes for the Games, but similar motivating strategies can be used in any workplace. The Olympics is an exciting time, and watching it live together is a great chance for team building, on the track and off it."

Many sports fans and their employers across the country already have plans in place to watch this summer's "must see" events live at work. (High resolution photos are available of the following at: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/media-centre)

• *Actors at Hampton Court Palace, including "King Henry VIII", and visitor guides will take time out to watch Team GB make history.
• Managers, zookeepers and a mob of meerkats at Battersea Park Children's Zoo will be glued to the TV at work to catch Olympic highlights.
• Accountants in Cardiff, diving instructors in Sheffield, academics in Wrexham, whistle-makers in Birmingham and shopkeepers in Newry will join businesses across the country to celebrate the Olympics by watching live at work.

A TV Licensing survey^[1] revealed 44 per cent of businesses agreed watching live events at work creates a better atmosphere, while YouGov research^[2] suggests the average worker will spend 18 minutes of each day watching Olympic coverage at work.  

Katrina Whenham, spokesperson for Historic Royal Palaces, said planning ahead was key to building workplace morale and ensuring the work gets done.

"As an official Olympic venue, we know some of our staff really don't want to miss out on the action. While work always comes first, we don't want to be spoilsports.  We want everyone at Hampton Court Palace to feel part of this historic occasion for London and have organised a number of opportunities so that we can all celebrate as a team without business suffering."

TV Licensing has produced a new online Workplace Viewing Guide, making it simple for businesses to plan, and ensure they are licensed if they need to be.

A TV Licence is legally required on work premises if anyone - either staff or customers - watches TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a computer, TV, or via the internet on a tablet or smart phone. A licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in minutes online at: TV Licensing for Business. If an employee is caught watching TV illegally, the business may be held liable and fined up to £1,000.

 

Notes to editors

Key Dates:

Olympics:        Friday 27 July - Sunday 12 August - 17 days

Paralympics:     Wednesday 29 August - Sunday 9 September - 12 days

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/Blu-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.

• People at 2,800 business addresses 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.

• There are many different ways to pay. For more information about payment options, please visit http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay/index.aspx or call 0300-790-6063

• For more information about TV licences for businesses please visit http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/business-and-organisations/

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.

1. Harris Interactive business to business research into 600 small and medium-sized businesses in the UK (December 2011).

2. YouGov research for Freeview conducted between 21-12 May 2012.

To arrange an interview with Dr David Fletcher or a TV Licensing spokesperson, or for further information please contact the TV Licensing Press Office on +44-0208-752-6606.

To view photo thumbnails visit http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/media-centre/ 

For high resolution JPEG images, email: media.enquiries@tvlicensing.co.uk 

To download a copy of the Workplace Viewing Guide visit:http://bit.ly/MlGAQg

SOURCE TVL