What You Need to Know About Showing Television and Playing Music at Your Golf Course Facility

NGCOA was recently contacted by members who have received visits or calls from someone representing the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC). Unlike the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) or Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), MPLC represents the motion picture industry and is an approved organization under federal trademark protection laws.

If your golf facility has TVs in the clubhouse, bar or fitness center, it’s important to understand what content is covered by your satellite or cable subscription — and what may require separate licensing.

Most golf and country clubs are tuned to sports content, like ESPN, Golf Channel, and major broadcast networks showing live sports. Golf courses are permitted to show live sports channels like these because they're already licensed for public viewing. No additional license is required.

However, if you show movies, scripted TV shows, or streaming content, you may be required to purchase a public performance license from agencies such as MPLC.

If you are a DIRECTV Business subscriber, its office has informed NGCOA that their business package covers golf courses that are showing channels from their approved lineup. (DIRECTV is an NGCOA Smart Buy Marketplace partner.)

Similarly, if your club plays music, you may be approached by organizations like ASCAP or BMI, which license music rights on behalf of artists. Fortunately, DIRECTV offers a Music Choice package that is already fully-licensed for public performance, covering most background music needs.

When in doubt, audit your content and consult your providers to ensure you’re protected. Here is a compliance checklist that may help:

Audiovisual Licensing Compliance Checklist for Golf Courses

• Identify Where Public Performances May Occur

• Lounge areas, bar TVs, patios or event spaces

• Clubhouse common areas showing movies or TV

• Determine the Source of the Content

• Public performance rules apply to DVDs, streaming and digital files

• Personal streaming accounts (e.g., Netflix) do NOT cover public showings

• DIRECTV Business Service provides coverage of their TV and Music content

• Review Existing Licenses

• Check if you hold an MPLC, Swank or other public performance license

• ASCAP/BMI/SESAC licenses cover music, not video content

• Check with your cable provider to see if its license covers your business

• Understand What Requires Licensing

• You DO need a license for showing movies/TV in shared spaces

• You likely DON'T need license for live sports broadcast

• Contact Licensing Agencies (if required)

• Ask MPLC or Swank which studios/titles are covered

• Confirm your facility's needs and pricing tier

• Keep Documentation On File

• Retain license agreements and confirmations

• Educate staff on what's allowed and restricted

• Limit Risk If Avoiding Licensing

• Avoid showing copyrighted movies/TV altogether

• Stick to live sports or royalty-free background content

Please contact rmiles@ngcoa.org directly if you have any questions about this or other issues.