BBC SHOULD BE MORE COMMERCIAL

It`s well known that some bars and pubs use live sports events on TV to encourage custom. Sky TV is the most widely used format for this aid to business and consequently its commercial contracts reflect this in their pricing and the punishments handed out for breach of contract. BBC television licenses are fixed in price; £145 for up to 15 entertainment units. A publican in the East Midlands was fined only £135 for operating a TV on his premises without a license; a similar figure for householders using a TV without a license. With all the hoo ha about BBC TV licensing renewal structure surely it would make sense if that organisation is to continue to be publicly financed for it to follow Sky TV and make commercial locations pay an individually priced contract fee depending upon circumstances, turnover etc and thus reduce the burden on low income families.

SKY T.V., PUBS AND ITS PROSECUTION POLICY

British Sky Broadcasting is becoming increasingly litigious concerning the transmission of sporting events at pubs by licensees who are out of their Sky contract or who have no contract at all.  I sat on such a case about six months ago.  It was difficult not to have a smidgeon of sympathy for the landlord who, single handed with his wife,  was failing in his attempts to keep profitable a long established public house in an area that is now bereft of regular trade. He was found guilty and the fine and costs were not unlikely to have forced him to close the business and get what he could for his remaining leasehold interest.  So it was with interest that the following came to my attention.

Last year a Plymouth publican was acquitted by local magistrates of showing domestic Sky T.V. without a commercial contract.  However on appeal at the High Court that judgement was overturned.  He was conditionally discharged with costs of £850.  It appears that this case is not ended. 

By all accounts Sky is currently operating a policy of prosecuting all those pubs suspected of  showing its content without a commercial contract.  Of course every case must be decided on the evidence presented but personally I will attempt to set aside a few brain cells to remember this one.