Ofcom to Regulate U.K. VOD Services In-House

LONDON: Ofcom is bringing the regulation of U.K. VOD program services in-house, taking over for co-regulator Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD) starting January 1.

The decision follows an Ofcom review, which found that acting as sole regulator for VOD programs would be a more effective model for the future than having two separate bodies carrying out the work.

Ofcom designated ATVOD as a co-regulator in 2010 to take the lead in regulating editorial content for VOD services.

“ATVOD has played an important, effective role in regulating on-demand TV over the past five years,” Ofcom said in a statement. “Like Ofcom, it is committed to protecting audiences from harmful content. ATVOD and Ofcom are therefore working closely together to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities so that audiences, especially children, remain protected at all times.”

The Advertising Standards Authority will continue to act as a co-regulator for advertising content on VOD services.