Firms face TV fines over World Cup streaming

Company directors face fines of up to £1,000 if staff watch World Cup matches on their work PCs and their employers do not have a TV licence, the TV Licensing Authority (TVLA) has warned.

A spokeswoman for the TVLA said watching live TV on a PC requires a licence regardless of how the content is received.

"If at any time you are watching TV over the Internet at the same time as it is being broadcast you require a licence - and that includes Internet streaming," she said.

The TVLA says television receiver is "any apparatus installed or used for the purpose of receiving… any television programme, whether or not it is installed or used for any other purpose." So a PC receiving TV output is also a telly.

In a statement, Jessica Ray of the TVLA said Enquiry Officers would be looking out for businesses they know are licenceless. "We know exactly which business premises to target," she added.

"Whatever the kick-off time, our Enquiry Officers will be knocking on doors, so businesses should ensure they have a valid licence or they risk… a fine of up to £1,000 plus court costs." µ