With the World Cup just around the corner, TV Licensing is reminding businesses in Derry to be licensed ahead of a summer of sport.
Whether it’s football, tennis, athletics, or cycling, sports fans in Derry are all set to enjoy a summer of sport playing out live on their TVs, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
So TV Licensing is asking businesses and business owners to make sure they are correctly licensed ahead of a massive summer of televised sport and providing a helpful Workplace Viewing Guide to clarify how staff or customers can watch live TV at work and be correctly licensed.
The World Cup in Brazil kicks off the bumper sporting summer as hosts Brazil play Croatia in the opening fixture on 12 June at 9.00pm (GMT).
But it will be the early group stage kick-offs at 5pm (GMT) which may see Derry workers downing tools early to sit in front of the canteen TV or opening a live streaming service on their desk PC to catch the match.
Less than two weeks later all eyes will once again be on Wimbledon as Andy Murray looks to defend the title he won last year when he broke the 77-year wait for a men’s British winner.
A fortnight of live television coverage from the iconic courts at the All England Club begins on 23 June.
The day before Wimbledon concludes, live TV coverage of the world’s greatest cycle race begins as the Tour de France gets under way.
From 5 July for three gruelling weeks, reigning champion Chris Froome will be out to defend his title against team mate and former winner Sir Bradley Wiggins.
And from the 23 July to 3 August, the Commonwealth Games will be taking place in Glasgow with many 2012 London Olympic medallists vying to add to their awards.
Fans can expect over 300 hours of live networked programming and over 1,300 hours of live action via up to 17 digital streams.
Mark Sterling, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said wth so much sport on free-to-air television this summer, employers in Derry might be tempted to bring TVs in to the workplace so their staff can catch all the live sporting action as it happens.
He added: It’s important businesses know the law around live TV being shown in the workplace.
“A TV Licence is required if anyone – staff or customers – watches or records TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a TV, tablet, computer or any other type of equipment.
“I would recommend business owners and managers visit tvlicensing.co.uk/businessinfo and download the Workplace Viewing Guide for display in a prominent part of the workplace, so it’s clear when a licence is needed.
“Your licence for your home address covers you to watch live TV on any equipment away from your address as long as it is powered by batteries.”
He concluded:”If you plug it in to the mains, you need to be covered by a licence at the place you are using it – nnless you are in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat.”
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