UK broadcasting and communications industries regulatory body Ofcom has announced that from 1st January 2016 it will be bringing the regulation of ‘video-on-demand’ programme services in house, to sit alongside its regulation of broadcast content, and will take over from the Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD).
In a public statement, Ofcom says this move follows a review designed to ensure regulation of broadcast and on-demand content remains as effective and efficient as possible for the benefit of consumers, audiences and industry. The review included the current co-regulatory arrangements for video-on-demand services, such as catch-up TV and on-demand services on the TV and the internet. Ofcom designated ATVOD in 2010 as a co-regulator to take the lead in regulating editorial content for video-on-demand services but it has now decided that acting as sole regulator for video-on-demand programmes is a more effective model for the future than having two separate bodies carrying out this work. This will create operational efficiencies and allow editorial content on video-on-demand to sit alongside Ofcom’s existing regulation of broadcasting.
ATVOD and Ofcom will be working closely together to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities so that audiences, especially children, remain protected at all times. ATVOD has published fee tables for the financial year to 31st March 2016 and those continue to apply; no further fees will be due for this period. In relation to future financial years, Ofcom will consult on any future fees as required by the Communications Act (as ATVOD have in previous years). For more information visit www.ofcom.org.uk
