Ofcom - regulation of Video on Demand (VOD) services

On Tuesday the UK communications regulator Ofcom published a consultation on the future regulation of Video on Demand (VOD) services.

State regulators across the European Union have historically exercised a high level of control over what is broadcast on radio and television. It is a sign of the dramatic shift by consumers in recent years to using unfettered web based informational/entertainment media that state regulators are now seeking to extend their control to the Internet as well.

The Ofcom announcement says:

Under revised European law, content on VOD services such as BBC iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player, SkyPlayer and Demand Five will be regulated from 19 December 2009.

Such services are available through Virgin Media, Sky and BT Vision as well as through the internet.

Regulation of these services is a requirement of the EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive and covers all VOD services which are, according to the Directive, 'TV-like'.

The Government plans to give the overall duty to regulate these services to Ofcom.

The full document can be found here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/vod/