Hi Aiden.
I have always assumed that you do need permissions to play almost any kind of music or almost anything else that has copyright to an audience. I am sure that during my time in the services the videos that we watched in the NAFFI club were probably a breach of copyright.
Although you are also correct to say that the radio can be turned off, that is not the point here. I for one, like to have the radio on (even though my one employee doesn't like my choice of station ). It really bugs me that a customer can drive on to my forecourt with his radio on the same station and listen for free but as soon as he gets out of his car the PRS say its a performance. As far as I'm concerned the copyright of anything played on a radio station should be down to the broadcaster to sort out. It is them that are actually making there living out of playing music, not us. The artists also have massive coverage by getting there work on air time and perhaps the PRS should realise that they will do there members more good by leaving the status quo. What is clear is that I have trawled the net and can find NO reports of succesful prosecutions under the 1988 act. Until the Kwik fit case comes to court I for one, intend to carry on as I am.