Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my gym, health & sports club need a licence?

If your gym or health & sports club shows films or TV content on screens in workout areas, changing rooms, staff areas or other shared or communal spaces within your premises, this is considered a public performance under UK copyright law.

To be compliant, your organisation must hold the appropriate public performance licence.

This is separate from:
• TV Licence
• TheMusicLicence managed by PPL PRS Ltd
• Any commercial TV or streaming service subscriptions

For more details, visit Section 72: Public showing or playing of broadcasts.

What is the Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence and what does it cover?

The Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence is an annual public performance licence.

It allows organisations such as gyms, health & sports clubs, corporations, student accommodation, or retailers to legally show the film and TV programmes we represent that are aired on broadcast television channels and their associated streaming platforms, and the use of DVDs and Blu-rays for background and ambient screenings.

It is a simple and cost-effective way to ensure compliance with UK copyright law.

The Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence covers thousands of films and TV programmes from our participating studios, including Hollywood majors and leading independent distributors such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures, Disney, StudioCanal, Pathé, and many more.

Most of this content can only be licensed for public performance from Filmbankmedia.

You can view the full list of the rights holders we represent on this page.

How long is the licence valid for?

The Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence is valid for a full year from the date of purchase.

What do we risk if we do not hold the correct licence?

If your organisation does not hold the correct licence, your business could face legal action for copyright infringement, including damages and costs.

We already have a TV licence / have TVs with the sound off. Do we still need the Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence?

Yes, a correct and valid public performance licence is still required.

Our gym or health & sports club has multiple sites. Do I need a Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence for each site, or will one licence cover all sites?

You need a Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence for each site. The cost of each licence is based on the number of members at each location. If you have more than 2,000 members at one or more sites, please get in touch.