ITV

Tag: UK Ofcom

  • UK’s Ofcom OKs sponsorship of TV, radio channels

    UK’s Ofcom OKs sponsorship of TV, radio channels

    MUMBAI: UK regulator Ofcom is amending its Broadcasting Code to allow the sponsorship of commercial television channels and radio stations, subject to specific safeguards intended to preserve editorial independence, protect the under 18s and ensure audiences are made fully aware of the sponsorship relationship.

    Modifying a regulation in place for over 50 years, Ofcom announced yesterday that sponsorship of commercial television and radio programmes has been permitted for 15 years.

    Restrictions on certain programmes and channels
    The Ofcom Broadcasting Code prohibits the sponsorship of news and, for television, current affairs programmes. It also prohibits specific product categories from sponsoring certain kinds of programmes. For example, alcohol brands are not allowed to sponsor children’s programmes and gambling companies may not sponsor programmes aimed at under 18s.
    Ofcom intends to allow the sponsorship of any channel, so long as the amount of programming that cannot be sponsored is limited.

    For example, channels and stations that broadcast short hourly news bulletins will be allowed to be sponsored. However, an alcohol brand would not be allowed to sponsor a children’s television channel.
    General restrictions: 
    Specific safeguards will be put in place to preserve editorial integrity and protect children.

    These include: 
    * Viewers must be made aware of the sponsorship arrangement and the sponsor’s credits must be separated from all other editorial and advertising content on the channel; credits for the channel sponsor must not appear in or around programmes that cannot be sponsored and credits should not suggest that these programmes are included in the sponsorship arrangement;

    * The sponsor’s presence on the channel should not be unduly prominent;

    * Broadcasters will be unable to name channels after the sponsor. However, as at present, a company with a brand known in another field – for example, Hallmark or Saga – may be granted a Broadcasting Act licence in its own right, with editorial responsibility for all programme output.

    Next steps
    Channel sponsorship represents a new opportunity for broadcasters; however it is important that transparency, editorial independence and appropriate protection for the audience are maintained. Ofcom will therefore publish guidance for broadcasters to go alongside the new Code rules, to ensure full compliance.

  • ‘UK’s Ofcom model difficult to export to Asia’

    ‘UK’s Ofcom model difficult to export to Asia’

    HONG KONG: Do any industry players love their regulators? The answer, probably, is a big NO.

    And, in return, a regulator should not expect love, but should have a relationship with a regulatee that is based on transparency and integrity, amongst other things. Ditto for a vice versa relationship.

    This was the message that Kip Meek, senior partner for competition and content at Ofcom in the UK and chairman of the European Regulators’ Group said here today at the ongoing annual convention of Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa).

    Speaking at session, aptly titled `How to love your regulator’, Meek also said that the Ofcom model of regulation is difficult to transport to other places; especially Asia. Reason? Ground realities may differ from market to market.

    “Is the Ofcom model exportable (to Asia)?” Meek posed a question and answered in the negative.

    Detailed regulation should follow on-ground realities, he explained, adding that content regulation in all countries cannot be the same.

    For instance, he said, Ofcom is quite liberal in comparison to some other regulators in developed countries as far as content goes.

    On cue, a majority of over 70 per cent in the audience voted against common regulatory standards in Asian countries, when asked to after Meek had finished speaking.

    According to Meek, the phrase ‘light touch of regulation’ may also sound an absurdity though Ofcom in the UK regulates on three principles, which include unbiased and least intrusive regulation.

    Meek also opined that a converged regulator is better placed to regulate in the present environment, provided it’s “truly independent and truly unbiased.”

    “A fully converged regulatory model does work… but don’t go for harsh measures,” he said.

    However, Meek felt there is a possibility of a converged regulator being considered too powerful.

    Moral of Meekspeak: a regulator-regulate is not the usual run of the mill tale.