More channels to provide access services

Ofcom has just published the list of channels that will provide subtitling, signing and audio description in 2006.
A total of 76 channels will be required to provide these television access services, compared with 70 at present.

Under the terms of the 2003 Communications Act, Ofcom published a code in July 2004 setting out the obligations of television channels licensed in the UK to provide access services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as those who are blind or partially sighted.

The original list of 70 channels was drawn up balancing audience share and total revenues - both of which can change over time. As a result, Ofcom's code provides for an annual review to determine how such changes should affect the number of channels required to provide access services.

As a result of this updating exercise, Ofcom has determined that from the end of 2005, 76 channels should provide access services, accounting for a peak time audience share of just over 94 per cent of all UK households.

Tim Suter, Ofcom's Partner for Content and Standards, said: "Ofcom will continue to ensure that viewers with visual or hearing impairments, or both, have the opportunity to access as many television channels as practicable."

The Statement and updated Code is available online at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/tv_access_services/statement2/statement.pdf

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/ctas/ctas.pdf

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