The UK media and telecom regulator Ofcom has unleashed a raft of proposals to ensure that rules for UK-based video-on-demand services are in line with European law.
VoD services from the likes of BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, in addition to services from ISPs such as Virgin Media, will all fall under the new legislation to come into effect on December 19.
VoD services from the likes of BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, in addition to services from ISPs such as Virgin Media, will all fall under the new legislation to come into effect on December 19.
The new policy effectively brings the UK into line with the European Union's Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) directive.
Ofcom yesterdaypublished a draft consultation which reveals that the same standards will be applied to VoD, even if online, as those applied to TV.
“This is not intended to suggest that service providers from outside the existing broadcast sector are less likely to be subject to regulation,” Ofcom warned. Electronic versions of newspapers, private websites and user generated material on sites like YouTube will not be regulated under the proposed laws but the powers will extend much further than services operated by broadcasters.