A TV licence is a legal requirement that allows you to use equipment and devices to watch or record television programmes in public spaces. Equipment and devices may include:聽 TV sets digital boxes (for example a Sky or Virgin Media box) computers laptops tablets (for example iPads) mobile phones聽 games consoles A TV Licence does not automatically give you permission to show a film in public. This includes content you鈥檝e bought, rented, or paid to stream. Using a personal streaming account to show content in public may breach the terms of use for that service.

Showing films and TV shows in public

You need permission if you want to show films or TV shows in public. Public spaces or events may include:

staff rooms
common areas for guests or passengers (for example receptions or lounge spaces)
bedrooms in hotels and guesthouses聽
retail and entertainment venues
one-off events聽
film clubs
community cinemas
social groups that put on 鈥榝ilm nights鈥� in their communities

You still need permission whether you sell tickets or not.

You do not need to get permission to show curriculum-based content in a state school.

The type of permission you鈥檒l need depends on what you鈥檙e showing and where. You may need one or more of the following:

licensed permission from the copyright owner
permission from your local council (premises licence)
a TV licence聽聽
a commercial subscription

Permission from the copyright owner

You鈥檒l usually need permission from whoever owns or is authorised to license the copyright.

If you鈥檙e showing a film through a commercial or business subscription, you may already have permission. Check with the service provider if you鈥檙e not sure.

If you want to screen a TV show, contact the channel or service provider directly to ask for permission.

If you want to show a film, check the records to see who distributed a film. You can then contact them to ask for permission.聽

The Independent Cinema Office (ICO) has a list of . This includes .

The distributor may tell you to contact a company who manages permission to show the film (a 鈥榣icensing body鈥�).

Many films are available through one of these bodies:

You could be sued for damages if you show a film or TV show in public without permission from the copyright owner.

You should always check if you need permission to show a film or TV show, even if it was made a long time ago. The copyright may not have expired.

Permission from your local council

You may need a 鈥榩remises licence鈥� from your local council. If you live in Northern Ireland, you may need a 鈥榗inema licence鈥� instead.聽

Check whether you need a premises licence with your local council.

TV Licence

A TV licence is a legal requirement that allows you to use equipment and devices to watch or record television programmes in public spaces.

Equipment and devices may include:聽

TV sets
digital boxes (for example a Sky or Virgin Media box)
computers
laptops
tablets (for example iPads)
mobile phones聽
games consoles

A TV Licence does not automatically give you permission to show a film in public. This includes content you鈥檝e bought, rented, or paid to stream. Using a personal streaming account to show content in public may breach the terms of use for that service.

Commercial subscriptions

If you want to show a sports channel, you鈥檒l need a commercial or business subscription from each service allowing you to show their content in public. Contact the service directly to check if you can show their content.

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