TV Licensing

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Zookeepers, office staff, shop workers and King Henry VIII* are among thousands of sports fans who will Stop, Watch and Cheer as they celebrate Olympic moments at work this summer.

More than 2,500 hours of live Olympics 2012 coverage will be shown over 17 days of the Games, most of it during working hours. According to TV Licensing, many workplaces are planning ahead, allowing staff to Stop, Watch and Cheer Team GB.

While it won’t be possible for every business, if staff want to enjoy the Games, they could talk to their managers to identify key televised Olympic events when they are allowed to stop work, gather around a licensed TV or computer to watch history in the making, and cheer on great sporting achievements,” said Elly Button, spokesperson for TV Licensing.

Dr David Fletcher, Director of the Sport Psychology Support Service at Loughborough University, explained why the Olympics provides an opportunity to build team spirit at work.

We all feel more motivated when we are part of a team and research shows that raising morale can increase productivity and boost good will. We’re currently psychologically preparing some of Britain’s athletes for the Games, but similar motivating strategies can be used in any workplace. The Olympics is an exciting time, and watching it live together is a great chance for team building, on the track and off it.”

Many sports fans and their employers across the country already have plans in place to watch this summer’s “must see” events live at work.

• *Actors at Hampton Court Palace, including “King Henry VIII”, and visitor guides will take time out to watch Team GB make history.
• Managers, zookeepers and a mob of meerkats at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo will be glued to the TV at work to catch Olympic highlights.
• Accountants in Cardiff, diving instructors in Sheffield, academics in Wrexham, whistle-makers in Birmingham and shopkeepers in Newry will join businesses across the country to celebrate the Olympics by watching live at work.

A TV Licensing survey¹ revealed 44 per cent of businesses agreed watching live events at work creates a better atmosphere, while YouGov research² suggests the average worker will spend 18 minutes of each day watching Olympic coverage at work.

Katrina Whenham, spokesperson for Historic Royal Palaces, said planning ahead was key to building workplace morale and ensuring the work gets done.

As an official Olympic venue, we know some of our staff really don’t want to miss out on the action. While work always comes first, we don’t want to be spoilsports. We want everyone at Hampton Court Palace to feel part of this historic occasion for London and have organised a number of opportunities so that we can all celebrate as a team without business suffering.”

TV Licensing has produced a new online Workplace Viewing Guide, making it simple for businesses to plan, and ensure they are licensed if they need to be.

A TV Licence is legally required on work premises if anyone – either staff or customers – watches TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a computer, TV, or via the internet on a tablet or smart phone. A licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in minutes online at: TV Licensing for Business. If an employee is caught watching TV illegally, the business may be held liable and fined up to £1,000.

Downloadable images: The teams at Hampton Court Palace and Battersea Park Children’s Zoo Stop, Watch and Cheer: Businesses will need a TV Licence if staff plan to watch the Olympics this summer (Images open in a new window)

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To arrange an interview with Dr David Fletcher or a TV Licensing spokesperson, or for further information please contact the TV Licensing Press Office on 0208 752 6606.

Download a copy of the Workplace Viewing Guide.

¹ Harris Interactive business to business research into 600 small and medium-sized businesses in the UK (December 2011).

² YouGov research for Freeview conducted between 21-12 May 2012.