Ofcom outlines proposals for VOD regulation

Ofcom wants video-on-demand services to  be regulated by a specialist industry body – the Association for Television on Demand – from December.

Launching a consultation process on the regulation of VOD services, Ofcom said that advertising will regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority.

The new regulations will cover services such as Channel 4’s 4oD and ITV’s ITV.com.

Tim Lefroy, the chief executive of the Advertising Association, said: “It is natural that advertising regulation should go to the ASA and this will further confirm their position serving the British public as the class-leading regulator for advertising.”

The broadcasting code which applies to television channels will not apply to VOD services, with Ofcom saying that services will have to adhere to “minimum” standards covering the broadcasting of suitable content and sponsored programmes.

The regulator will retain some powers to intervene should problems with the new system arise

The regulations are due to come into effect on 19 December.