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Ofcom

Cheshire confirmed as Ofcom chair

As widely expected, Sir Ian Cheshire has been announced as Chair of media regulator Ofcom, following a pre-appointment hearing with the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee. In taking on the role, Cheshire has committed to ensuring the regulator is guided by the experiences of those most exposed to online harms and translates that insight […]

June 3, 2026By Nik Roseveare

Ofcom: Poor mobile performance widespread on trains

Mobile networks typically offer a poor-quality service to train passengers, according to research from media regulator Ofcom, which has called for a nationwide effort to improve the state of mobile service in the UK. Ofcom’s research measured mobile performance across 24 segments of key railway lines covering England, Scotland and Wales, making it the most […]

June 3, 2026By Nik Roseveare

London Mayor backs U16 social media ban

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has backed a ban that would block under-16s from using social media platforms – a rule that was enforced across Australia at the start of 2026. Speaking to engineers, founders and investors at the London SXSW festival, he will also warn that the UK needs to tackle the harms children already […]

June 2, 2026

Ofcom: Harmful social media content still an issue

Ofcom has published its latest research into how children spend their time online and interact with different forms of media. The media regulator’s Children’s Online Experiences report contains a wealth of findings about what children do when they’re online, and how they feel about their online activities and the content they encounter. Children are using […]

May 22, 2026

MPs endorse Ian Cheshire Ofcom chair appointment

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee of the UK House of Commons has endorsed the government’s preferred candidate, Sir Ian Cheshire, as the new chair of media and communications regulator Ofcom. The cross-party committee has produced a report setting out its endorsement of Sir Ian after holding a pre-appointment hearing on Wednesday May 20th. During […]

May 22, 2026By Colin Mann

Survey: 79% of UK viewers use subtitles

XR Extreme Reach, a global platform powering advertising operations, has released UK findings from its Global Accessibility Report, revealing that subtitles have become mainstream viewing behaviour across streaming, social and broadcast content – particularly among younger audiences. The study, released to mark World Accessibility Day, surveyed 3,000 consumers across the UK, US, France, Germany, and […]

May 21, 2026

MPs to quiz government’s preferred Ofcom Chair candidate

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee of the UK House of Commons is to scrutinise the government’s preferred candidate for Ofcom Chair. The Committee will hold a pre-appointment hearing with Sir Ian Cheshire on May 20th. Cheshire is chair of Land Securities Group, Spire Healthcare Group, the King Charles III Charitable Fund, the corporate climate […]

May 15, 2026By Colin Mann

Ofcom drafts new rules for governing streaming services

Audiences of the largest and streaming services in the UK will, for the first time, be afforded stronger protections under Ofcom’s draft new Codes. The Media Act granted Ofcom new powers to create and enforce a new content standards Code for streaming services. “The aim was to level the regulatory playing field between streaming services […]

May 14, 2026By Nik Roseveare

Ofcom: Gigabit broadband available to 89% of UK homes

Ofcom research has revealed that 89 per cent of UK households can now get gigabit-capable broadband. The media watchdog’s Connected Nations Spring Update reveals that, as of January 2026, gigabit broadband – which delivers speeds of at least 1000 Mbit per second – is available to 27.1 million homes, up from 26.4 million (87 per […]

May 13, 2026

Ofcom: EE TV continues to top pay-TV complaints

Ofocm has published the latest figures for complaints received about the UK’s major broadband, mobile and pay-TV providers. These figures cover the final quarter of 2025, from October to December, and show an increase on the previous quarter for the first time since 2023. Complaints about broadband services decreased, while pay-TV complaints stayed the same. […]

May 11, 2026By Nik Roseveare