Do pubs need a licence to stream Wimbledon?

Whether it’s the FIFA World Cup or the Ashes, summer in the UK means a great sporting event to drive Brits into the pubs and bars. During last year’s Euros, drink sales grew by an average of 8.5% during England’s home games.

That’s why many businesses are looking forward to the start of Wimbledon next Monday. The tennis tournament could bring a much-needed boost in custom to local boozers, particularly if British favourites like Emma Raducanu can make it through qualification.

It’s not just taprooms that can cash in on Wimbledon-mania. Restaurants and cafes might also choose to show matches. But if you’re thinking of turning your business into Henman Hill this year, there are rules on showing sport in licensed premises you need to be aware of.

Is it legal to broadcast live sports in my pub?

In short, probably. For virtually every major TV channel in the UK, you will need a TV license to broadcast shows or live sports in your hospitality venue. That includes watching Wimbledon on the BBC. With a TV license, you’ll be covered for:

• All live TV channels including the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4
• Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media, and EE TV
• Live TV on streaming services, like Amazon Prime Video
• Everything on BBC iPlayer

As well as a valid TV license, you’ll of course also need the correct commercial licence for subscription services. For example, if you wanted to show the British Grand Prix on July 6, you’d need a Sky Sports subscription to do so.

How much does a hospitality TV Licence cost?

The total bill depends on the number of screens you plan to display. 

If you have under 15 TVs in your venue, you’ll only need to pay one fee of £174.50 for a hospitality TV licence (the same cost as a household licence). But you’ll need to pay £174.50 for every extra five units you purchase on top of this.

For a single property, such as a shop or office, you’ll need one TV Licence. If your business has more than one address, you need multiple licences or a Company Group TV Licence.

Who will know if I don’t have the right licence?

It might be tempting to flout the rules for broadcasting Wimbledon weeks one and two (after all, it’s only a fortnight) to save a bit of cash. But the penalties for being caught out will be considerably more than the cost of the initial licence.

Local police frequently visit venues to check that they have the correct permissions in place, and, if they don’t, to dish out penalties. To do this, they work closely with the anti-piracy organisation Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

FACT can prosecute pubs and operators for showing sports without the correct licence or authorised commercial subscription, which has resulted in heavy fines of up to £1,000.

Should your venue show Wimbledon this year?

At a time when profit margins have never been tighter for hospitality firms, and many pubs are becoming unprofitable, sporting events are an opportunity to attract new customers.

Of course, it’s not as simple as hanging a couple of big-screen televisions on the wall. Other practical considerations include having the right seating plan, as well as decent sound quality. 

For popular events, you’ll also need robust booking software (something your POS system can help with) and exceptional customer service, so be sure you have enough staff on hand.

Finally, remember that broadcasting live sports or other entertainment is, at its heart, a marketing activity. So make sure you get the word out with some promotional activity. And it wouldn’t hurt to have some strawberries and cream on hand, too.