TV and radio broadcasting codes - Ofcom

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About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.

Internet-based services

As people communicate seamlessly online and offline, we now need to invest our efforts into making digital communications work for everyone

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Ofcom wants to understand how adults and children in the UK use media.

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Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom's job is to make online services safer for the people who use them. We make sure companies have effective systems in place to protect users from harm.

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Ofcom is committed to a thriving telecoms sector, where companies can compete fairly and customers benefit from a broad range of services.

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Ofcom's job is to make sure there is a universal postal service.

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You can't see or feel radio spectrum, but we use it every day. Our job is to authorise and manage the use of spectrum in the UK.

TV, radio and on-demand

We make sure that broadcasters provide quality TV, radio and on-demand programmes that appeal to diverse audiences. We also have rules in place to protect viewers and listeners from harm.
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If you're looking to use certain radio equipment, or broadcast on TV or radio, you'll need a licence from Ofcom.

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- You need a licence from Ofcom if you’re looking to use certain radio equipment (like amateur or ships radio), or broadcast on TV or radio.
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Cymraeg

TV, radio and on-demand Broadcast standards Information for industry

Published: 6 November 2020

Here you will find Ofcom’s codes and rules for TV and radio services including the Broadcasting Code, the Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising and the Code on Television Access Services.

Code on the scheduling of television advertising

This Code sets out the rules with which television broadcasters licensed by Ofcom must comply when carrying advertising.

Code on sports and other listed and designated events

The Broadcasting Act 1996 empowers the Secretary of State to designate key sporting and other events as 'listed events'. The purpose of these arrangements is to ensure that key sporting events are made available to all television viewers, particularly those who cannot afford the extra cost of subscription television.

Code on television access services

TV access services are additional facilities supplied by broadcasters that are designed to allow hearing and visually impaired consumers to gain access to TV content. The three access services are subtitling, audio description and signing

Code on Electronic Programme Guides

The electronic programme guides on code

Legacy codes

Previous versions of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and other legacy codes related to broadcasting.

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The Ofcom Broadcasting Code

The Ofcom Broadcasting Code outlines the rules by which programmes broadcast on television and radio in the UK must abide

Related content

Regulation of e-cigarette advertising, sponsorship and product placement

The statements below set out the rules around advertising and sponsorship of e-cigarettes on TV and Radio, as well as product placement of e-cigarettes in television and on demand programmes.