The AVLA Licence

We grant licences for hotels, hostels, guesthouses, B&Bs and other hospitality accommodation businesses. If your establishment has TVs that show television channels containing audiovisual works from the AVLA repertoire, then you are required by law to obtain our licence.

Getting the AVLA licence could not be easier. It takes just a few clicks and less than five minutes.

Get your licence

What is it for?

The AVLA licence is a permit to legally show in public TV channels that contain the audiovisual works (films, series, cartoons, documentaries and other shows) held in our vast repertoire.

It is for hotels, hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses and other hospitality accommodation businesses.

It covers TVs in bedrooms, as well as in public areas of the establishments (e.g. at a hotel’s restaurant, bar, reception, gym, spa, salon, shop, etc.).

Our catalogue is unparalleled in size, comprising countless British and international works, from blockbusters to niche productions.

We also represent by far the largest number and variety of rights-holders, including producers, authors, screenwriters, actors, entertainers, stunt and other performers, directors and visual artists.

Our simple, comprehensive solution lets customers clear the rights to countless titles at once, protecting them from the risk of legal action for copyright infringement.

The AVLA licence does not replace licences issued by other organisations, and vice versa. Even if you have obtained authorizations from other licensors, you will still need the AVLA licence to cover the works in our catalogue.

Why is the licence necessary?

Hospitality accommodation businesses derive value and benefit from offering TV channels (whether free-to-air or subscription-based networks) to their guests.

Under UK and international legislation, public establishments are not entitled to show TV channels containing protected content without a permit. The law recognizes that the creators of copyright-protected audiovisual works should be fairly rewarded for the use of their work.

The AVLA licence is a simple solution to comply with these obligations, protecting you from the risk of legal action for copyright infringement.

Who needs an AVLA licence?

The AVLA licence applies to all types of hospitality accommodation businesses. This includes hotels, motels, hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses, campsites, serviced apartments and more.

Establishments that have TVs or screens in bedrooms and/or public areas that can show TV channels containing films, series and other audiovisual works from our repertoire will need to obtain our licence.

What does the AVLA licence cover?

The AVLA licence encompasses an immense repertoire. Thousands of the titles we represent are shown every year on countless UK and foreign TV channels, both free-to-air and subscription-based networks.

For the sake of clarity, our licence does not cover all programmes shown on every TV channel. For instance, we might not represent the rights-holders of a film produced in Thailand. Likewise, our licence typically does not cover other contents, such as sports, news and reporting of current affairs, weather forecasts, advertising and some broadcaster’s productions.

Moreover, the AVLA licence only covers audiovisual works broadcast on TV channels. It does not authorize other uses, such as showing films, series or other TV shows at establishments on a pay-per-view, subscription VOD or other basis.

Get your licence

Your contribution makes a difference

Jean Rogers

Actress, BECS Chair

“Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of creatives involved in the production of entertainment are freelancers, on modest or low wages with difficulties securing long-term employment.

We are proud that our work is made available to hotel guests to enhance their travel experience. The AVLA licence will help keep us going whilst also supporting the UK audiovisual sector to remain alive and strong, contributing to the financing of even more films, television series and documentaries.”

Paul Powell

Comedy writer and producer

“The creation of AVLA is excellent news for UK script writers. While we love sharing our work with the widest possible audience, creators rely on receipts and royalties to keep the wheels turning. AVLA is a welcome addition to the CMO community and I’m delighted to see them championing fair remuneration for all contributors alongside promoting the UK Audiovisual sector on the international stage.”

Nigel Stone

Producer, founder & CEO of Platinum Films

“The AVLA licence helps to support the audiovisual sector in the UK, to keep it alive and strong, as well as to foster local talent. The licence fees contribute to finance the production of new films, series, documentaries, and other TV shows, and in turn sustain tens of thousands of workers and small companies involved in the process.”

Lola May

Actress, singer, writer, director

“The creators of audiovisual works deserve to be paid for the use of their work. Our industry is one of unpredictable work, so every job we do deserves to be paid regardless of where it ends up.

The AVLA licence is not only fair, but also a legal obligation. The revenues distributed by AVLA to the audiovisual creators is vital income for individuals who often work intermittently and might struggle to make ends meet at one stage or another.“

Helen Blakeman

Writer

“Writers and creators rely on the fair distribution and remuneration of their work – especially in the current digital age. The creation of AVLA is therefore another much-needed defender of those working in the audiovisual sector. The promotion of UK work internationally is also another force for good.”

Harriet Bridgeman

Visual artists representative

“The AVLA licence is imperative to support the creation of new and independent works. Not only does the revenue distributed by AVLA to the audiovisual creators form part of a vital income for individuals who would otherwise struggle to make ends meet, it also supports a wide community of creatives. The creators of audiovisual works deserve to be paid for the use of their work.”

Robert Emms

Actor

“As creators of audiovisual works, we are grateful to those establishments that take the AVLA licence for respecting the rights of creatives and supporting us.

I trust my collecting society to collect and distribute royalties for the use of our work, and to do so fairly and efficiently.”

Di Redmond

Author and scriptwriter

“We take for granted being able to watch a fantastic film or catch up on the most recent episode of our favourite soap when we stay in a hotel, it really adds to our enjoyment of the experience and provides that extra level of entertainment. A great number of creatives put their lifeblood into making these films and shows and it’s great that in future, through AVLA, they will all be paid for the value their works bring to hotels, hostels and other similar venues. “

Ian Bevitt

Director

“TV professionals, including directors, often face the misconception of living comfortable lives. In reality, many of us are freelancers, dealing with fluctuating pay rates and long gaps between jobs.

AVLA’s licence fees provide crucial income support during these periods, allowing us to sustain our creative careers. Without this assistance, it would be challenging for creators, like me, to make a living directing your beloved TV shows or documentaries.“

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a new licence?

Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses and other hospitality accommodation businesses derive value and benefit from offering TV channels to their guests. UK and international law recognize that the producers and creators of copyright-protected audiovisual works (films, series, documentaries, cartoons and other shows) should be fairly paid for the use of their works.

The AVLA licence is a simple solution for establishments to clear the rights to a large number of titles at once. Our catalogue is unparalleled in size, comprising countless British and international works, from blockbusters to niche productions. We also represent by far the largest number and variety of rights-holders: producers, authors, performers, directors and visual artists.

I subscribe to pay TV and I already have another licence. Is that enough?

No. Licences issued by other organisations do not replace the AVLA licence, and vice versa. If, at your establishment, you offer your guests TV channels (whether free-to-air or subscription-based networks) containing works from the AVLA repertoire, you will need to get the AVLA licence – even if you have already obtained other licences. Otherwise, you would be infringing the intellectual property rights of our rights-holders.

I rent out a studio apartment to tourists. Do I need the AVLA licence?

Probably yes. You will need the AVLA licence if your establishment has TVs that could show television programmes containing works of our repertoire. You do not need the licence if there are no TVs on your premises.

Does the AVLA licence cover all films, series and other shows?

The AVLA licence does not cover all programmes shown on every TV channel. Our extensive repertoire contains a vast number of films, series and other TV shows. But it does not encompass all works or all types of content. For instance, the AVLA licence does not cover:

every film, series, documentary, cartoon or other TV show in existence (for instance, most Thai productions are not represented by AVLA)
sports, news and reporting of current affairs, weather forecasts, advertising, etc.
the rights managed by other licensors (such as musical works and some broadcaster’s productions)
subscription VOD, pay-per-view, streaming services and other uses.