UK broadcast regulator Ofcom is seeking views from interested or affected parties to inform its initial assessment of the BBC’s proposal to launch BBC Three as a television channel.  In February 2016, the service became the first TV channel in the world to make the switch from linear broadcast channel to online-first destination. Ofcom’s responsibility, as […]

Reports have emerged that the UK government plans to regulate global OTT services in the same way as linear broadcasters. The plans would see broadcast regulator Ofcom extend the same control over on-demand services, allowing it to rule on complaints over bias and inaccuracy, for example. It is anticipated that the proposals will feature in […]

The UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published the Government’s response to its report on The future of public service broadcasting. In its response, the Government said it welcomed publication of the Committee’s report and “wholeheartedly” agreed with the Committee’s assessment that the need for public service broadcasting remains as […]

Sachin Jogia will join Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in October after nine years at Amazon, where he is currently the General Manager for Alexa Smart Home International – overseeing development of the company’s voice-activated services. A highly–experienced product and technology leader, Jogia has also held senior technology roles at […]

UK adults spent more time online on desktop, smartphones or tablets in 2020 than comparable European countries according to Ofcom’s annual study into the nation’s online habits. Ofcom’s Online Nation 2021 delivers a snapshot of an unprecedented year, when communication, entertainment, culture, retail, work and education moved more online. UK adults spent more than three-and-a-half hours online […]

With much of our time spent on online platforms, which are becoming increasingly important and influential in people’s daily lives, how they are regulated is becoming a vitally important issue. Now high-profile research conducted as part of the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) has analysed how eight […]

Tim Suter, who, while a senior BBC executive, was part of the 1996 internal investigation into how discredited reporter Martin Bashir secured an interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, has stepped down from the board of broadcasting regulator Ofcom. Separately Lord (Tony) Hall has stepped down from his role as Chairman of the National Gallery. […]

Average download speeds increased by a quarter last year, according to research into the UK’s broadband speeds from comms regulator Ofcom. Ofcom’s UK Home Broadband Performance research looks into the actual broadband speeds achieved by a sample of households across the UK during November 2020. The research, published as an interactive guide, includes data on […]

More than one in five UK homes can now access faster, full-fibre broadband, according to new figures published by comms regulator Ofcom. Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations data highlights broadband and mobile coverage across the UK and its nations. As of January 2021, around six million UK homes (21 per cent) could get full-fibre broadband – […]

New Internet laws are to  be included in the UK government’s draft Online Safety Bill designed to protect children online and tackle some of the worst abuses on social media, including racist hate crimes. Ministers have added what are described as “landmark” new measures to the Bill to safeguard freedom of expression and democracy, ensuring […]