Wondering what PVSL stands for or what a “Blanket Licence” means?
Here’s a handy A-Z guide to the terms we use throughout our website.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Ad-hoc screening
A film screening in a public or shared space that’s unplanned or not advertised as an event (for instance, a “wet weather day” at school). To hold these types of screenings, you need an annual screening licence. Learn more about a PVSL for schools or a PVSL for care homes.
Ambient screening
This is when content is played in the background of a public or shared space to create a nice atmosphere, rather than being the main event or prime focus of attention. Ambient screenings require an annual Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence.
Annual screening licence
A film screening licence that allows you to legally show films and TV programmes on your premises for background or ambient screenings for a whole year. It is a requirement for ad-hoc, ambient or non-commercial (not ticketed) screenings. Learn more.
AV test
AV stands for Audio-Visual. An AV test is a short playback of a film file to check that the audio, video, and setup work correctly before a screening.
B
Blanket licence
This is an annual screening licence that allows you to legally show films and TV content for ambient or background screenings. It also covers films and TV programmes aired on UK broadcast channels played on company-provided devices (such as laptops and mobiles). Be compliant – get your Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence.
Box office return
This is the amount you make at the box office. It’s calculated by multiplying the ticket price by the number of tickets sold.
C
Commercial screening
A ticketed screening event where guests are charged a fee to attend. You need a special film screening licence for this, known as a Single Title Screening Licence (STSL).
Content & streaming solution
A technology solution that allows you to stream curated content including films and TV programmes – ideal for entertainment in hotels, trains, hospitals and more. Discover more about our streaming solutions.
Copyright
A legal right that protects creators of original works, including films and TV shows. It means that you cannot legally show or distribute a film in public without permission from the copyright owner – which you can get by simply having one of our licences. See What Licence or Service Do I Need?
D
Download/Download Manager
Need a digital copy of the film you’ve licensed from us for your screening event? Download is our service that allows you to easily and securely download a film for your screening without needing a DVD or Blu-ray disc. Learn more about Ways to Play Your Film.
F
Film licensing or film distribution
The legal process of granting permission to show, stream or distribute a film. Filmbankmedia specialises in non-theatrical film and TV licensing.
Free-to-air TV
Free-to-air (FTA) television refers to channels that can be viewed without requiring a subscription or special equipment. They are channels usually available to anyone with a TV and a basic receiver.
H
Hybrid screenings
A hybrid screening lets audiences attend a screening in-person (e.g. in a lecture hall, community space or cinema) and join remotely via a secure online platform using our Virtual Screening Room.
I
iMaccs
Our online booking system allows you to request a licence to screen a film from Filmbankmedia’s extensive film catalogue. You need an iMaccs account before you can make a booking. Sign-up now.
Indoor screening event
A film screening that takes place inside a venue. Book your film.
N
Non-commercial screening
A screening where no admission fee is charged. A film licence is still required for this type of screening. See Film Screening Licence Prices to learn more.
Non-theatrical screening
These are screenings that take place outside of traditional cinema or private home settings, such as outdoor screenings, film clubs and community cinemas, hotels, schools, public libraries, care homes etc. These venues require a specific non-theatrical film licence. See What Licence or Service Do I Need?
O
Outdoor screening event
A film screening held outside, typically in a park, courtyard, rooftop or similar public space. Outdoor screenings are considered public performances and need the appropriate screening licence to plan such events, whether ticketed or not. To screen your film publicly in the UK, get your Single Title Screening Licence (STSL).
Own copy
Refers to the physical or digital copy of a film (e.g. DVD, Blu-ray or download) sourced through an official vendor such as Amazon or HMV. Even if you “own” the copy, you still need a Single Title Screening Licence (STSL) to screen it publicly.
P
Public screening
Any film showing that takes place outside the home. Pick from 15,000 films and plan your screening event now. Browse films.
Public Video Screening Licence (PVSL)
A PVSL is available on an annual basis, allowing organisations to legally screen films to create background ambience within their premises. These screenings must be ad hoc, so cannot be advertised and admission fees cannot be charged. Buy a Public Video Screening Licence (PVSL).
R
Rights holders
The individuals or organisations who legally own the rights to a film or TV show (typically a studio, producer or distributor). Only they or their licensing partners, such as Filmbankmedia, can grant permission for screenings.
S
Section 72
A part of UK copyright law – Section 72 of the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. It means that if your organisation shows content for background or ambient screenings, or if films and TV programmes can be viewed on work devices around your premises, your organisation requires the correct licence. We provide this licence: the Filmbankmedia Blanket Licence.
Single Title Screening Licence (STSL)
You need a licence to legally screen films. The Single Title Screening Licence allows you to show films in public at your event, on a per film, per screening basis. See How It Works.
T
Theatrical release
The official launch of a film in cinemas, usually before it becomes available for home viewing, streaming or licensing for non-theatrical screenings.
TV Licence
A UK legal requirement to watch or record live TV broadcasts or stream BBC iPlayer. A TV Licence does not cover the public screening of films from DVDs or digital files – you need a special Filmbankmedia film licence for this. See What Licence or Service Do I Need?
U
Umbrella licence
A type of annual licence that allows organisations to show a wide range of films for non-commercial purposes and on an ad-hoc basis. An umbrella licence covers many film titles under one agreement, but screenings cannot be advertised and a ticket price must not be charged.
The Public Video Screening Licence (PVSL) is ideal for screenings in schools, universities and care homes. Our Blanket Licence is designed for businesses where films or TV are shown on work devices or played in the background to create ambience, such as in gyms and sports clubs.
V
Virtual Screening Room (VSR)
Our VSR allows you to host a virtual film screening with a shared, sociable experience. Your audience can come together for an online watch party, or you can offer flexible viewing within a timeframe of your choice.
Think we might have missed a term?
Let us know at marketing@filmbankmedia.com. If you need help choosing the right licence, get in touch with our team at info@filmbankmedia.com for advice.
