TV Licensing urges Exeter pubs to avoid a Rugby World Cup penalty
As the Rugby World cup kicks off in Japan, TV Licensing is advising publicans to avoid a penalty and check they are correctly covered by a TV licence if they plan to show live matches.
Due to the time difference, the scrum at the bar will start far earlier than usual this weekend (21-22 September) as rugby fans across the country pack into pubs to watch the home nations live in action.
With three Exeter Chiefs players - Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade - chosen for England’s official 31-man squad, supporters in the city have an extra reason to join the crowds watching the action unfold as England begin their World Cup campaign on Sunday (22 September) with a match against Tonga.
Natasha Lee, TV Licensing spokesperson for the South West said: “This year’s Rugby World Cup looks set to be a thrilling competition, and landlords across Exeter can score easy points with fans looking to soak up the atmosphere by ensuring they are properly licensed to screen the live action. To be fair to the honest majority who do pay, we’ll be blowing the whistle on establishments that are showing live games without a licence. Our advice to landlords wanting to avoid an infringement is to check whether they need a licence rather than risk being prosecuted. There is more information at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/southwest .”
All businesses need to be covered by a valid TV licence if staff, customers or visitors watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies to any device provided by the business.
Those found to be showing live games without a valid licence could end up in the sin bin as they run the risk of a court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000 per offence, plus costs.
In the last three years1, TV Licensing enquiry officers visited more than 44,000 businesses across the UK, including pubs, takeaway restaurants and sports clubs, to confirm if they were correctly licensed.
A TV licence costs £154.50 and can be purchased in minutes via an online form at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/businessinfo or by calling the TV Licensing business team on 0300 790 6112.
Mike Clist, Chairman of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the leading professional body for UK’s licensees, said: “Watching sport in the pub is a great British tradition, and we are sure the Rugby World Cup will prove no different. However, together with the BBC, we always like to remind licensees that they must have a current TV licence in order to publicly show live sport legally.”
For more information go to www.tvlicensing.co.uk/southwest
