You are here: silicon.com > Networks > WebWatch

WebWatch

TV licence warning for online World Cup fans

You still need one, even if you're watching on a PC...

Tags: tv licence, world cup

By Andy McCue

Published: 9 June 2006 15:35 GMT

Businesses could face stiff penalties if they are caught allowing staff to watch World Cup matches broadcast over the internet at work without a TV licence.

The World Cup kicks off this week with the BBC showing all its games from Germany on TV as well as live on the internet - and desktop viewing is likely to prove popular with many office workers who would otherwise miss the afternoon games.

Whether you work in an office, a building site, a hotel or anywhere else, there's really no excuse for breaking the law.

The TV Licensing authority said it will be targeting traditional licence fee dodgers who watch the matches on TV during the World Cup but warned that the law also covers online broadcasting.

That means businesses which provide TVs in the office for staff to watch matches and allow their workers to follow the goals at their desks through the Beeb's online broadcasts could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 if they don't have a TV licence.

A TV Licensing spokeswoman told silicon.com: "Businesses still need a TV licence for watching matches on a PC. Whether you work in an office, a building site, a hotel or anywhere else, there's really no excuse for breaking the law."

Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses also urged companies to take note of the warning and check they are correctly licensed.

Only one TV licence is required to cover all the TV equipment a business uses on a single site. A regular household TV licence will also cover PC broadcasts at home.

  1. Zones
  2. Management
  3. Networks
  4. Software
  5. IT Services
  6. Hardware
  1. Verticals
  2. Public Sector
  3. Financial Services
  4. Retail & Leisure
Read and write about internet access at the airports of the world at atlarge.com. Rate airports, and see what others have to say...

Natasha Lomas Exclusive: Jimmy Wales on what's next for Wikipedia Why Wikipedia needs geeks and why a life unplugged is unthinkable

Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: United breaks guitars? Customer service has changed forever


  • Jobs
Managed Support Consultant - Cisco - Rochdale, Manchester, North West

Resilient; Able to operate effectively under stress - Full Driving Licence This is a customer facing role, primarily by telephone and email, however ...

New Business Field Sales Executive

The role requires you to have a clean driving licence and comes with a car allowance. You must have past experience conducting face-to-face sales ...

Business Development Manager - Software Licence Sales

Development Manager to work within their software licence team based in Berkshire As a Software Sales Executive you will be responsible for ...

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.





Quick Sitemap Links: