Ofcom is proposing changes to the licence conditions for Digital Television Additional Services.
These services are broadcast on Freeview and usually consist of text or data – for example, they are used to broadcast software that allows a viewer to watch channels delivered via the internet – such as the Channelbox service.
Under the current licence conditions for these services, a warning must be displayed letting viewers know they are about to view material delivered over the internet, which may not be regulated in the same way as other television services.
However, the current wording of the licence condition means that a warning must be displayed even if the service is licensed by Ofcom and therefore subject to our content standards rules.
Ofcom thinks this could be confusing to viewers, so it’s proposing to update the licence condition so that warnings are not required if the licensee holds an Ofcom broadcast licence.
A consultation is now underway and the regulator is accepting responses up to 5pm on 17 April 2024.