Pub landlord Eric Hoyle ordered to pay over £8,000 for illegal broadcast of Sky Sports

Photo: Google

Summit Pub on Bury New Road in Heywood

Pub landlord Eric Hoyle has been found guilty of three offences of dishonest reception of a television transmission by showing Sky Sports to customers without a commercial agreement from Sky.

Hoyle, of the Summit Pub on Bury New Road in Heywood, was found guilty in his absence of three offences of dishonestly receiving a programme with intent to avoid payment. 

He was fined £2,000 per offence, which occurred earlier this year on 3 February, 5 March and 6 May. He was also ordered to pay £120 victim surcharge and costs of £2,116.54, totalling £8,236.54.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) brought the criminal prosecution on Monday (9 October) at Bolton Magistrates Court against the licensee for showing Sky Sports to customers without having valid commercial viewing agreements in place. Sky Sports is only available to licensed premises in the UK via a commercial viewing agreement from Sky Business. Licensees that show Sky broadcasts without a commercial viewing agreement risk similar action or even a criminal prosecution.

Stephen Gerrard, prosecuting manager of FACT, said: “These cases should send a clear warning to pub owners and licensees who show Sky broadcasts without a commercial subscription.

“If convicted, fines for this offence are unlimited and you may have to pay substantial legal costs, as well as putting yourself at risk of having your licence suspended or revoked.”

George Lawson, head of commercial piracy at Sky, added: “We take illegal use of our programming very seriously and remain committed to protecting our legitimate Sky customers who are unfairly losing business due to this illegal activity.

“Those licensees who choose to televise content illegally should be aware that they are at high risk of being caught and face substantial penalties and a criminal conviction.

"The only legal way to show Sky Sports programming in licensed premises in the UK is via a commercial viewing agreement from Sky.”