Norfolk businesses planning to watch the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement live on TV or a computer in the workplace are being reminded to ensure they are correctly licensed.
With more and more management teams clicking through or tuning in to view live broadcasts of George Osborne’s Autumn Statement and Budget speeches, TV Licensing is reminding businesses in Norfolk that it is essential they are aware of their licensing responsibilities.
The Autumn Statement, which will be shown on December 3 on a number of channels and online, is likely to prove popular amongst businesses seeking to get ahead as the economic recovery gathers pace.
A TV Licence is required if staff or customers at a business premises watch or record TV programmes at the same time they’re shown on the telly – whether on a TV, tablet, computer or any other type of equipment. And TV Licensing has been working with Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to ensure companies get the message – last year TV Licensing enquiry officers visited more than 33,000 business premises across the UK.
Mr Osborne’s statement is sure to be highly anticipated by business people. Mark Whitehouse, regional spokesman for TV Licensing in East Anglia, said: “With live streaming to events such as the Chancellor’s statement so readily accessible, we know that a host of businesses in Norfolk are going to be tuning in to get the very latest news. But our message to employers and employees is that they need to be aware of the licensing requirements if they’re watching live in the workplace.
“We want businesses to enjoy live television without having to worry about being correctly licensed, so it’s important that business owners understand when they do and don’t need a licence. We visit unlicensed address as part of our work to check that people are on the right side of the law.”
Nova Fairbank, from Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “We know that Norfolk businesses want to stay within the law, so this provides a timely reminder for business owners to make sure they’re covered by an up-to-date TV Licence. Programmes like the Autumn Statement are of great interest and are useful to business leaders across Norfolk, but it’s important people are aware of the law and how it relates to the wide range of TV viewing platforms available today. We would advise firms where staff are tuning in to programmes like this not to assume that they’re covered. It’s always best to check that your business has a TV Licence if employees are watching TV via PC or laptop at work stations, in boardrooms or staff restaurant areas. We would always encourage businesses to make sure they’re correctly licensed, and never to assume that it’s been dealt with.”
A TV Licence is a legal requirement and is needed if you’re watching or recording programmes at the same time as they’re shown on TV, costs £145.50 and can be bought online in minutes at tvlicensing.co.uk. In addition to the usual ways to pay, businesses can also pay using BACS electronic transfer. Anyone caught watching or recording live television without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
