Ofcom has set out the principles and methods it intends to follow when preparing its recommendations to the Secretary of State on designating connected TV platforms, as part of its work to implement the Media Act 2024. The UK media regulator says it is critical that viewers can easily find and discover the diverse range […]

Ofcom has published the provisional conclusions of its assessments of the BBC’s plans to launch four new DAB+ stations and extend the hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra. In November 2024, the BBC published proposals to launch four new DAB+ stations: Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, a Radio 2 extension, and Radio 3 Unwind. […]

People who face barriers or difficulties when online can experience poorer mental and physical health, miss out on work opportunities and become socially excluded, according to a report commissioned by Ofcom. Research suggests that 2.8 million people (5 per cent of the UK population) do not have access to the internet at all – although […]

UK comms regulator Ofcom is consulting on proposed updates to its satellite filings procedures, which are the processes for obtaining internationally recognised orbits and frequency assignments for satellites. Before a satellite can use the radio spectrum and orbits it needs, it requires an associated ‘satellite filing’ to obtain international recognition of these resources through the […]

UK media regulator Ofcom has published proposals for enabling MNOs to use their spectrum for direct to device (D2D) services, in partnership with satellite providers. The proposals are open for consultation and it expects responses in by May 20th. That timeframe suggests Ofcom expects to move pretty quickly on this one. “People in the UK […]

Full-fibre broadband is on course to become available to almost the entire country by 2027, UK comms regulator Ofcom has announced, as it sets out how it plans to continue to drive industry momentum for the final phase of the rollout. Building on its cornerstone regulations introduced in 2021, Ofcom is publishing proposals to further […]

From today (March 17th), online platforms must start putting in place measures to protect people in the UK from criminal activity, while media regulator Ofcom has launched its latest enforcement programme to assess industry compliance. Providers of services in scope of the UK’s Online Safety Act had until March 16th to carry out an illegal […]

The BBC Board has appointed Caroline Thomson as a non-executive director. She will serve for four years on the Board, from April 3rd. Thomson was previously Chief Operating Officer at the BBC, and has extensive experience in arts, culture, digital and media, having held a number of significant non-executive and executive roles. As a non-executive […]

GB News, the right-leaning news channel, has won its judicial review of decisions made by media watchdog Ofcom, that two shows hosted by Jacob Rees-Mogg breached the broadcasting code. The High Court judgment, external by Mrs Justice Collins Rice concluded that Ofcom’s rulings were unlawful, marking the first time Ofcom has lost such a case. […]

Ofcom has proposed “concrete measures” that tech firms should take to tackle online harms against women and girls, setting a new standard for their online safety. With insights from victims, survivors, women’s advocacy groups and safety experts, the new draft guidance sets out practical, ambitious but achievable measures that providers can implement to improve women’s and girls’ […]