Ofcom To Impose Conditions On Top Up TV
Ofcom could impose restrictions on the conditional access services provided by Top Up TV, the television subscription via digital terrestrial television service.
A conditional access service enables a broadcaster to restrict access to content via a digital platform so that it is viewed only by customers with authorisation.
Previously the rules requiring a platform operator to provide indiscriminate access to broadcasters have only been imposed on Sky’s satellite platform, and while these rules will form the basis of the rules applied to Top Up TV, the regulator is launching a consultation on the process.
The conditions, set out in the consultation, require Top Up TV to provide fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access to its conditional access services on regulated terms.
Ofcom’s decision to consider regulating the DTT pay platform comes after last year’s shift by Top Up TV to a largely on-demand service, as opposed to the previous strategy of offering a selection on linear channels broadcast at various times.
The consultation will close on April 27.
Top Up TV: 08700 543 210 www.topup.tv