TV Licensing - Businesses Need to "Get Fit" to Watch the Olympics

TV Licensing - Businesses Need to "Get Fit" to Watch the Olympics

LONDON, April 13, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

There will be more than 2,500 hours of live Olympic TV coverage on offer this summer,
much of it broadcast during working hours. So the Federation of Small Businesses and TV
Licensing [http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk ] are reminding small businesses to check that
they are licensed to share the spectacular sporting TV coverage as it happens.

Considerable numbers of local businesses are expected to provide screens for customers
and staff to enjoy landmark Olympic moments in local shops, offices, pubs and hotels. But
this reminder comes as research conducted by TV Licensing shows that many small business
haven't adequately planned ahead to make sure that they stay legal.

- 80% of us are likely to watch some Olympic coverage*, but research by
Harris shows that only 11% of small businesses have discussed if and when they will
provide TV screens for staff or visitors**.
- More than half haven't made special allowances for providing screens staff and
customers can watch.

John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

"The Olympics will boost morale across the country and so those firms that wish to
show events must make sure they are prepared - even if staff wish to watch via a
computer."

Elly Button, spokesperson for TV Licensing said

"We know that businesses like to share big national events with their staff and
customers. By getting a TV licence [http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk ] for GBP145.50 owners
and managers will give themselves peace of mind ahead of this amazing Olympic and Jubilee
year and avoid the risk of a visit from an enquiry officer. We would always rather people
pay for their TV Licence than risk an embarrassing prosecution and fine of up to
GBP1,000."

TV Licensing Enquiry Officers will be visiting unlicensed premises throughout the
summer. Anyone found watching TV illegally risks a court prosecution and fine of up to
GBP1,000 per offence, plus costs. Officers use a database of almost 30 million UK
addresses to identify premises where they suspect individuals and business owners are
using TV illegally.

* based on the percentage of the UK population that watched coverage of the Athens
Olympics

** Harris Interactive business to business research into 600 small and medium-sized
businesses in the UK December 2011

Source: TV Licensing

For further information, please contact the TV Licensing press office on +44(0)208-752-6606

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