Licensee fined £6,500 as Sky Sports aims to protect paying customers

A successful prosecution by The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) saw Janet and Eric Ashton of the Rose & Crown in Westhoughton convicted at Bolton Magistrates Court.

They were each convicted in absence of five offences of dishonest reception of a television transmission - a Sky football match.

Protecting pubs

Alison Dolan, deputy managing director at Sky Business, said: ““We are committed to visiting thousands of pubs every season to monitor the games they are showing, as well as investigating suppliers and continuing to support FACT’s work to protect Sky customers who are unfairly losing business due to this illegal activity.”

Licensees are warned they could face unlimited fines. Last month, another Bolton licensee was fined £6,000​, while a Liverpool pub was fined £22,000 at £2,000 per match​.

Dolan continued: “Once again this case sends a clear message to publicans – Sky Sports is only available to pubs and clubs in mainland UK via a commercial viewing agreement from Sky; no other method of showing Sky Sports in licensed premises is legal.”

Sky will visit every licensed premises reported by other publicans or organisations for illegally showing Sky and will visit more than 700 pubs each week this season.

Unlimited fines

Stephen Gerrard, prosecuting manager, FACT, said: “This case clearly shows that if a licensee shows Sky broadcasts in their premises by any other means than a Sky commercial viewing agreement they will be prosecuted.

“If convicted they can receive an unlimited fine and should expect to pay substantial legal costs. Additionally they risk having their Personal Licence suspended or revoked.”

Any licensee can report suspected illegal broadcasting in confidence at https://business.sky.com/fighting-fraud/business.