Showing films and TV shows in public

You need permission if you want to show films or TV shows in public. Public spaces or events may include:

  • staff rooms
  • common areas for guests or passengers (for example receptions or lounge spaces)
  • bedrooms in hotels and guesthouses 
  • retail and entertainment venues
  • one-off events 
  • film clubs
  • community cinemas
  • social groups that put on ‘film nights’ in their communities

You still need permission whether you sell tickets or not.

You do not need to get permission to show curriculum-based content in a state school.

The type of permission you’ll need depends on what you’re showing and where. You may need one or more of the following:

  • licensed permission from the copyright owner
  • permission from your local council (premises licence)
  • a TV licence  
  • a commercial subscription

You’ll usually need permission from whoever owns or is authorised to license the copyright.

If you’re showing a film through a commercial or business subscription, you may already have permission. Check with the service provider if you’re not sure.

If you want to screen a TV show, contact the channel or service provider directly to ask for permission.

If you want to show a film, check the Film Distributors Association (FDA) records to see who distributed a film. You can then contact them to ask for permission. 

The Independent Cinema Office (ICO) has a list of contact details for film distributors. This includes the British Film Institute.

The distributor may tell you to contact a company who manages permission to show the film (a ‘licensing body’).

Many films are available through one of these bodies:

You could be sued for damages if you show a film or TV show in public without permission from the copyright owner.

You should always check if you need permission to show a film or TV show, even if it was made a long time ago. The copyright may not have expired.

Permission from your local council

You may need a ‘premises licence’ from your local council. If you live in Northern Ireland, you may need a ‘cinema licence’ instead. 

Check whether you need a premises licence with your local council.

TV Licence

A TV licence is a legal requirement that allows you to use equipment and devices to watch or record television programmes in public spaces.

Equipment and devices may include: 

  • TV sets
  • digital boxes (for example a Sky or Virgin Media box)
  • computers
  • laptops
  • tablets (for example iPads)
  • mobile phones 
  • games consoles

A TV Licence does not automatically give you permission to show a film in public. This includes content you’ve bought, rented, or paid to stream. Using a personal streaming account to show content in public may breach the terms of use for that service.

Commercial subscriptions

If you want to show a sports channel, you’ll need a commercial or business subscription from each service allowing you to show their content in public. Contact the service directly to check if you can show their content.

Related content