Ofcom regulates editorial content (programming) on UK video-on-demand services (or “ODPS”). Previously, our co-regulator, the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD), led on this.
Providers of on-demand programme services (ODPS) are required by law to notify Ofcom before their service begins, and to advise Ofcom if the service closes or undergoes significant changes. These criteria and the content standards requirements are set out in Section 4A of the Communications Act 2003 (“the Act”).
On 1 November 2020, the Audiovisual Media Services (“AVMS”) Regulations came into force. The Regulations amend Part 4A the Act. We have updated our Rules and Guidance and our How to Notify documents to reflect the amendments.
We will be consulting on our updated guidance on who needs to notify in early 2021. In the interim, services providers are reminded that ODPS providers must ensure they comply with their statutory obligations under the Act. They should seek their own legal advice on any compliance issues.
This document outlines Ofcom’s procedures for the handling and resolution of complaints (or for the conduct of its own investigations) about potential breaches of rules applying to on-demand programme services (“ODPS”) by ODPS providers. .
Procedures for investigating breaches of rules for on-demand programme services (PDF, 213.0 KB) - 01 Apr 2016
This document outlines the procedures that Ofcom will normally follow when considering the determination of a sanction against the provider of an on-demand programme service (“ODPS”) for contravention of one (or more) of the requirements imposed on it under Part 4A of the Communications Act 20032 (the “Act”).
Procedures for the consideration of statutory sanctions arising in the context of on-demand programme services (PDF, 105.5 KB) - updated 18 Dec 2015
The On Demand Programme Service Rules set out the statutory requirements with which providers of on-demand programme services must comply. They cover both administrative and editorial rules.
'How to Notify' guidance (PDF, 195.7 KB)
VoD notification form (RTF, 2.3 MB)
Previous rules and guidance (PDF, 215.0 KB) - This archived rules and guidance is for reference only and relates to earlier versions of the administrative and editorial content rules. This guidance was produced by the predecessor regulator ATVOD
