TV in public places: restaurants, hotels and waiting rooms
Can you switch on your home subscription in a café or hotel? What counts as a public performance, and which licences and royalties are required?
In short
- A residential subscription is usually for private viewing; showing TV to guests or customers requires a business subscription.
- Beyond the provider contract, showing TV in a public place may also involve paying royalties to collective management organisations.
- Public screening of sports broadcasts is subject to particularly strict licence conditions.
What counts as a public performance?
If a TV programme is played somewhere it can be perceived by the public – guests, customers, visitors – it may, under copyright law, be a use going beyond private use. Typical examples: restaurants and bars, hotels, gyms, shops and waiting rooms.
The Court of Justice of the European Union has addressed the question in several judgments; it has ruled, for example, that distributing a TV signal to hotel rooms may constitute communication to the public. Whether a specific situation qualifies always depends on the circumstances.
Residential or business subscription?
The terms of residential subscriptions usually cover private viewing in a private household. Using them on business premises may breach the contract. Subscriptions designed for businesses take into account commercial use, the number of screens and the licences required.
If you are looking for a solution for your business, read IPTV for businesses or see our Business page.
Royalties and collective management organisations
For the public performance of music, performances and other works included in programmes, royalties must be paid to collective management organisations in the cases set out by law. In Hungary, such organisations include Artisjus (composers and lyricists) and the collective management organisations for performers, phonogram producers and rights holders in audiovisual works.
Sports broadcasts and premium content
Sports rights holders usually grant a separate commercial licence for screening in public places. Showing a residential sports package in a pub may be infringing and can lead to substantial damages claims.
Checklist for businesses
- Business subscriptionAsk specifically for an offer covering commercial use.
- Scope of the licenceCheck whether the contract covers public screening and the channels you want, especially sport.
- Settling royaltiesAsk the collective management organisations about royalties for public performance.
- DocumentationKeep the contracts and invoices; in an inspection they prove lawful use.
Please note: this article is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulatory practice may change; for a specific case, consult a legal professional or the competent authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch on the TV in the office for employees?
Internal office use depends on the circumstances. A business subscription is the safe solution; check the exact obligations with the provider and the collective management organisations.
Do TVs in hotel rooms need a licence too?
Yes, distributing a TV signal to hotel rooms may constitute communication to the public, so appropriate licences are needed. Dedicated hotel IPTV solutions exist for this purpose.
Can I show a match in my café with my own subscription?
Usually not with a residential subscription. Public sports screening requires a commercial licence from the rights holder.
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