Private screening a BBC tv show with Blu-Ray

M_Jay2014

I'm organising a private screening of one episode of a BBC tv show for a group of about 25 friends. I've found a venue - a small Arthouse cinema, but I'm waiting to hear back from the BBC regarding permission. The enquiries team told me to email BBC Studios Learning.

I don't know whether it is definitely OK to do this or whether I need to get written permission from the BBC or some sort of licence. There's no fundraising or tickets - nobody will be charged to come. It's just for a group of friends. The venue says that this matter is between myself and the copyright holder. I can't go ahead and book until I know what is needed. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks 

MyRealNameToo

The venue has explicitly asked you to provide evidence? 

If its just for personal use then thats covered by the standard terms on your DVD and the venue most likely has a Public Performance Licence but dont know if there are complexities because you are providing the materials and/or because their staff will be able to see the showing and so not strictly only your friends. 

One option is to simply buy a 1 day/title licence, fees are based on the number of seats not the number of people but you can see the prices at https://uk.mplc.com/single-title-movie-licence/ and chat to them so they can check their licence covers this material 

M_Jay2014

The venue doesn't need anything, but I wanted to check with the BBC if this would be OK to do. The venue has said they've done this before, but I wanted to double check for my own peace of mind! 

I don't know how long I have to wait to hear back from the BBC (it's been nearly a week), and I want to get on and book this. So basically I could book and then if the BBC say I need a licence and I can then get that. Thanks.

Neil_Jones

M_Jay2014 said:

I'm organising a private screening of one episode of a BBC tv show for a group of about 25 friends. I've found a venue - a small Arthouse cinema, but I'm waiting to hear back from the BBC regarding permission. The enquiries team told me to email BBC Studios Learning.

I don't know whether it is definitely OK to do this or whether I need to get written permission from the BBC or some sort of licence. There's no fundraising or tickets - nobody will be charged to come. It's just for a group of friends. The venue says that this matter is between myself and the copyright holder. I can't go ahead and book until I know what is needed. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks 

It must be remembered the BBC doesn't make everything it shows, and a lot of the output is made by other independent companies.  Even BBC Studios isn't exclusively BBC only content and effectively has to bid with other companies to make programmes for the BBC.  That means they don't own the rights to everything they show, so they may only have a licence to show it/iPlayer it.

What is the TV show in question?

Note that as mentioned if the venue provides options for showing material they should have all the licences required for that otherwise what's the point of having the option?

M_Jay2014

Neil_Jones said:

M_Jay2014 said:

I'm organising a private screening of one episode of a BBC tv show for a group of about 25 friends. I've found a venue - a small Arthouse cinema, but I'm waiting to hear back from the BBC regarding permission. The enquiries team told me to email BBC Studios Learning.

I don't know whether it is definitely OK to do this or whether I need to get written permission from the BBC or some sort of licence. There's no fundraising or tickets - nobody will be charged to come. It's just for a group of friends. The venue says that this matter is between myself and the copyright holder. I can't go ahead and book until I know what is needed. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks 

It must be remembered the BBC doesn't make everything it shows, and a lot of the output is made by other independent companies.  Even BBC Studios isn't exclusively BBC only content and effectively has to bid with other companies to make programmes for the BBC.  That means they don't own the rights to everything they show, so they may only have a licence to show it/iPlayer it.

What is the TV show in question?

Note that as mentioned if the venue provides options for showing material they should have all the licences required for that otherwise what's the point of having the option?

Doctor Who so it's definitely BBC. 

The venue did say it would be OK, but I just wanted to double check. 

Neil_Jones

Doctor Who is co-produced by the BBC and Disney since 2023, the latter for international market distribution.

To be honest I think you're worrying about nothing - I'd just go for the event and plead ignorance if you are "caught", but you're more likely to win the lottery.