Ofcom launches consultation on VoD regulation

UK media regulator Ofcom is launching a consultation on the future of video-on-demand regulation following its decision to close VoD co-regulator ATVOD and take over all of the latter’s functions.

Ofcom is consulting on the introduction of new procedures for investigating breaches of rules for on-demand services to replace the interim procedures.

These would apply after closure of consultation on March 1, and until a final statement is published in the spring. It said that the proposed new breach procedures would align more closely with those currently used to consider breaches of the Broadcasting Code within traditional, linear TV broadcasting

The regulator is also consulting on a proposal not to charge fees to video on demand service providers under section 368NA of the Communications Act.

Changes in the interim procedures include the ending of the appeal process from ATVOD to Ofcom.

Ofcom’s proposals for VoD regulation will see it aligned more closely with linear broadcast rules.