An urgent TV licence warning as weekly Netflix programme could see millions of viewers slapped with a £1,000 fine from Tuesday. Netflix users in the UK have been warned they could be fined if they watch any live broadcasts without a TV licence.
Live episodes of WWE’s Raw programme began airing on Netflix on January 7 and continue to be broadcast at 1am every Tuesday. As well as Monday Night RAW, Netflix is also airing Friday Night SmackDown, and premium live events from WWE.
Netflix began weekly streams of WWE’s flagship programme Raw earlier in January and watching them could see you fall foul to the law. Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, confirmed: “Under UK law, any live television broadcast requires a valid TV Licence, regardless of the streaming platform.”
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It comes as Pat McAfee misses Raw next week, due to his commitment to the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Lawyer Daniel advised viewers to “stay informed on licensing changes as streaming platforms expand live broadcast offerings.”
While enforcement officers for the licence can carry out checks to ensure compliance, occupiers have “no legal obligation” to let them into their home. WWE Hall of Famer JBL happens to be coming to Raw this week, WWE has confirmed, alongside a string of matches due to air.
A WrestleMania rematch pitting Seth Rollins against Drew McIntyre will air from Dallas, Texas, and New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston return to in-ring action following their recent heel turn which has left fans shook.
Speaking about a potential comeback previously, JBL said: “I don’t truly know. He’s whispered something to me on two different occasions in Mexico and in TNA, and it was a little vague. Also, I’d rather not repeat it because I believe it was whispered to me in confidence. I don’t know where he stands.”