Licensees call for end to Saturday football screening ban

Licensees who spoke to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser​ in the first week of the football season also called for the Premier League and broadcasters to pursue suppliers of equipment that allow games to be screened illegally.

Publicans who openly screen games illegally, either by using foreign satellite feeds or streaming from the internet, spoke to the PMA​ anonymously to explain why they risk thousands of pounds in fines.

One said: “What I spend on a foreign channel for an entire year would only just cover the cost of one month with Sky. I know there’s a chance I’ll get caught, but if I get away with it for a few years, then get a £5,000 fine, it would still be worth it.”

Implications​

Publicans could face civil action for breaching the Premier League’s copyright by using an unauthorised feed. They could also face a criminal prosecution for dishonest reception of a television transmission without a commercial viewing agreement.

Separately they could face prosecution for breaching the Broadcasting Act 1996, which prohibits the screening of a Premier League or Football League match between 3pm and 5pm.

One publican who streams those prohibited matches said: “I have Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday on one screen and then whichever match is on the internet on another screen. I’m not cheating anyone out of any money.

“It’s ridiculous that in this day and age, when you can stream a game on to your phone, that we still have these stupid rules.”

Another licensee said: “I started showing the 3pm Saturday games because my customers asked me to. There are at least three pubs I know of round here that regularly show those games. If I don’t do the same, I’m going to lose trade.”

Another added: “Last time I costed it out, Sky Sports would cost me £16,000 per year. For a period, we were showing a foreign sports channel for £300 per year, but I wasn’t happy doing it illegally and I wasn’t happy with the quality either.

“There is a lack of enforcement — a number of pubs around me are showing Sky illegally. Even with some of the huge fines being imposed many take the risk as they are saving money long term.”

Alison Dolan, deputy managing director of Sky Business, said its prices were based on rateable value and included significant partnership discounts. She added that the company takes legal action “to protect the value of our brand”.

She said: "We are committed to protecting the value of our brand and ensuring that our customers are not left short-changed, which is why we take legal action against pubs who are found to be illegally showing Sky Sports programmes. These licensees know that Sky’s content drives value for their businesses, but choose to obtain it illegally, unlike the thousands of law-abiding publicans who invest in legitimate commercial Sky subscriptions.

"We also take action against suppliers who are found to be illegally selling systems allowing unauthorised access to Sky Sports programmes. We encourage any licensee approached by a supplier attempting to mislead them with systems allowing access to Sky Sports without a valid commercial viewing agreement to contact us."

Illegal suppliers​

Suppliers of equipment to screen matches illegally are not hard to come by. One website offers a box connected to the internet with 19 separate sports channels which show all 380 Premier League games live, including Saturday 3pm games for an £899 up-front fee.

Nick Noble, head of communications for the Premier League, said he was aware of this service and similar ones but insisted licensees are increasingly wising up to the risks of using them. He said two pubs were ordered to pay £65,000 last year for using unauthorised systems and the Premier League expects to commence “significant action directly against suppliers during the course of the season”.

He said the ban on showing Saturday 3pm matches was designed to “support the football pyramid from grassroots to the Premier League”.

To report suppliers of equipment that allows football to be screened illegally call 08448 244 244 or email sbcomplianceteam@bskyb.com.