Ofcom has announced which operators will be bidding in January's 4G auction. Everything Everywhere Limited, Hkt Company Limited, Hutchison 3G UK Limited, Mll Telecom Ltd, BT subsidiary Niche Spectrum Ventures Limited, O2 parent company Telefonica UK Limited and Vodafone Limited will battle it out for spectrum in the New Year. BT is a surprise inclusion considering the company recently denied rumours of a move into the mobile sector. The winning bidders will gain the right to offer 4G data services to cities, towns and villages across Britain in a move that will boost the airwaves available to mobile phones by more than 75%. Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: "The 4G auction will be a competitive process that will dictate (more)...
- 12/20/2012
- by By Mark Langshaw
- Digital Spy
London – U.K. media watchdog Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards told the Leveson inquiry Thursday that proposals to have serving editors involved in deciding on complaints made about the press would be unworkable. Photos: Euro 2012: Shocks, Surprises and Scandals Richards was giving evidence to the inquiry setup to look into media standards and ethics in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal that engulfed Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper publishing division News International and the wider U.K. print media industry. He said suggestions made earlier this week by Lord Black, chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance, the
read more...
read more...
- 7/12/2012
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- U.K. media regulator Ofcom said Monday that its CEO Ed Richards has applied for the director general job at the BBC. There has been intense speculation about who might apply for the top post at the public broadcaster since current BBC head Mark Thompson said in March that he would exit after the Olympics. "Robust procedures, agreed by the Ofcom chairman and the board, have been put in place to prevent any potential conflict of interest," Ofcom said in addressing potential concerns about current regulatory processes involving or affecting the BBC. "Ed has already stepped aside from
read more...
read more...
- 5/28/2012
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been cleared of wrongdoing by TV broadcasting watchdogs in the U.K. after declaring Britain's striking workers should be "shot".
The outspoken Top Gear star appeared on topical U.K. TV series The One Show in November and discussed the widespread public sector strikes, ranting: "I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families."
His comments sparked more than 30,000 complaints and media regulator Ofcom launched an investigation to determine whether Clarkson broke broadcasting rules on taste and decency.
Ofcom has now ruled that although the remarks were "potentially offensive", they were "not in breach" of the broadcasting code.
Chief executive Ed Richards adds, "Editorial content and the editorial nature of the programme as a whole would have prepared viewers for the type of comments Jeremy Clarkson would be likely to make.
"In Ofcom's view, viewers' expectations would also have been influenced by Jeremy Clarkson's well-established public persona. We considered that it would have been clear to most viewers that his comments were not an expression of serious held beliefs or views that should be literally interpreted."...
The outspoken Top Gear star appeared on topical U.K. TV series The One Show in November and discussed the widespread public sector strikes, ranting: "I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families."
His comments sparked more than 30,000 complaints and media regulator Ofcom launched an investigation to determine whether Clarkson broke broadcasting rules on taste and decency.
Ofcom has now ruled that although the remarks were "potentially offensive", they were "not in breach" of the broadcasting code.
Chief executive Ed Richards adds, "Editorial content and the editorial nature of the programme as a whole would have prepared viewers for the type of comments Jeremy Clarkson would be likely to make.
"In Ofcom's view, viewers' expectations would also have been influenced by Jeremy Clarkson's well-established public persona. We considered that it would have been clear to most viewers that his comments were not an expression of serious held beliefs or views that should be literally interpreted."...
- 2/20/2012
- WENN
As the U.S. broadband expansion plan stalls at the starting blocks, officials could learn a trick or two from the old country. The U.K.'s Net development plans demonstrate both shining examples and pitfalls to avoid.
City-Countryside Divide
The U.K.'s prosperity map has long been split across the "North-South divide" with South being richer, but according to a new study by telecoms regulator Ofcom, a strange new divide is emerging in the nation: Rural versus urban Net experiences.
When twisted wire-pair copper cables began to be repurposed from analog phone lines into Adsl digital Net connections, pretty much everyone in the U.K. got the same broadband speed. But now differences are developing as Net providers concentrate on loading the newer equipment into exchanges in urban areas, leaving rural subscribers lagging in Net speed. Ofcom's survey found that the average speed in urban areas is now 5.8 megabits per second,...
City-Countryside Divide
The U.K.'s prosperity map has long been split across the "North-South divide" with South being richer, but according to a new study by telecoms regulator Ofcom, a strange new divide is emerging in the nation: Rural versus urban Net experiences.
When twisted wire-pair copper cables began to be repurposed from analog phone lines into Adsl digital Net connections, pretty much everyone in the U.K. got the same broadband speed. But now differences are developing as Net providers concentrate on loading the newer equipment into exchanges in urban areas, leaving rural subscribers lagging in Net speed. Ofcom's survey found that the average speed in urban areas is now 5.8 megabits per second,...
- 7/27/2010
- by Kit Eaton
- Fast Company
LONDON -- ITV has been hit with a fine of 5.7 million pounds ($11.2 million), the biggest in U.K. television history, for misleading millions of viewers phoning in to quizzes on some of its biggest shows.
The broadcaster was accused by media watchdog Ofcom of having a "completely inadequate" compliance system and of "totally disregarding" the broadcast code in shows including "Saturday Night Takeaway" and "Soapstar Superstar".
"The result was that millions of paying entrants were misled into believing that they could fairly interact with some of ITV's most popular programs," said Philip Graf, head of Ofcom's sanctions committee.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said ITV's failure had been "institutionalized."
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said he fully accepted the sanctions, which are related to events before he came on board.
He restated ITV's "unreserved apology" to viewers and said ITV had cleaned up its editorial, compliance and training procedures since the events were uncovered.
But though Grade conceded "serious breaches of trust" and "gross editorial errors" he maintained they were made to enhance the viewer experience.
The broadcaster was accused by media watchdog Ofcom of having a "completely inadequate" compliance system and of "totally disregarding" the broadcast code in shows including "Saturday Night Takeaway" and "Soapstar Superstar".
"The result was that millions of paying entrants were misled into believing that they could fairly interact with some of ITV's most popular programs," said Philip Graf, head of Ofcom's sanctions committee.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said ITV's failure had been "institutionalized."
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said he fully accepted the sanctions, which are related to events before he came on board.
He restated ITV's "unreserved apology" to viewers and said ITV had cleaned up its editorial, compliance and training procedures since the events were uncovered.
But though Grade conceded "serious breaches of trust" and "gross editorial errors" he maintained they were made to enhance the viewer experience.
LONDON -- Quiz TV programmers will face new license conditions and unannounced spot-checks from media regulator Ofcom under new guidelines intended to protect consumers, the watchdog said Tuesday.
The moves come after a year in which Ofcom imposed fines totaling 3.5 million euros ($6.8 million) on such leading broadcasters as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 for misleading quiz TV competition entrants.
"Viewers must be confident that they will be treated fairly and consistently when interacting with television programs," Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said. "Ofcom will not hesitate to take firm action with broadcasters who step out of line and mislead people. These measures will ensure that broadcasters are directly accountable and give greater protection for all."
The mandatory conditions will become part of Ofcom's compliance procedures and require all broadcasters and companies wanting to set up premium phone competitions to register with Ofcom.
Ofcom has spent much of the last 12 months investigating the TV scandals that have beset broadcasters here.
The moves come after a year in which Ofcom imposed fines totaling 3.5 million euros ($6.8 million) on such leading broadcasters as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 for misleading quiz TV competition entrants.
"Viewers must be confident that they will be treated fairly and consistently when interacting with television programs," Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said. "Ofcom will not hesitate to take firm action with broadcasters who step out of line and mislead people. These measures will ensure that broadcasters are directly accountable and give greater protection for all."
The mandatory conditions will become part of Ofcom's compliance procedures and require all broadcasters and companies wanting to set up premium phone competitions to register with Ofcom.
Ofcom has spent much of the last 12 months investigating the TV scandals that have beset broadcasters here.
- 2/20/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- U.K. media regulator Ofcom has found broadcasters here guilty of "systemtic failures" in their premium phone quiz services, claiming that they have been "in denial" about the extent of wrongdoing. Simultaneously the BBC suspended all phone-in competitions across the pubcaster's television, radio and interactive platforms.
Announcing the results of the first phase of its inquiry into the matter, Ofcom CEO Ed Richards warned broadcasters that he takes the issue "extremely seriously" and that they face continued financial penalties if found guilty of premium-line phone failures.
"To restore trust with viewers, broadcasters need to deliver and demonstrate strong consumer protection as well as quality programming," Richards said. "Ofcom's consultation will identify the best way to make this happen."
The scandal was triggered this year when it emerged that viewers of Channel 4's daytime quiz show "You Say We Pay" were being duped and asked to pay £1 ($2) per call to enter a competition that had already closed.
Soon after, other broadcasters admitted to irregularities. So far, the regulator has imposed fines on Five, Channel 4 and the BBC and is still working through the backlog of cases.
But Mark Thompson, the BBC's director general, moved to cease all of its phone-in games after at least six more incidents of editorial malpractice came to light Wednesday.
Announcing the results of the first phase of its inquiry into the matter, Ofcom CEO Ed Richards warned broadcasters that he takes the issue "extremely seriously" and that they face continued financial penalties if found guilty of premium-line phone failures.
"To restore trust with viewers, broadcasters need to deliver and demonstrate strong consumer protection as well as quality programming," Richards said. "Ofcom's consultation will identify the best way to make this happen."
The scandal was triggered this year when it emerged that viewers of Channel 4's daytime quiz show "You Say We Pay" were being duped and asked to pay £1 ($2) per call to enter a competition that had already closed.
Soon after, other broadcasters admitted to irregularities. So far, the regulator has imposed fines on Five, Channel 4 and the BBC and is still working through the backlog of cases.
But Mark Thompson, the BBC's director general, moved to cease all of its phone-in games after at least six more incidents of editorial malpractice came to light Wednesday.
- 7/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- U.K. media regulator Ofcom has found broadcasters here guilty of "systematic failures" in their premium phone quiz services, claiming that they have been "in denial" about the extent of wrongdoing.
Announcing the results of the first phase of its inquiry into the matter, Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards warned broadcasters that he takes the issue "extremely seriously" and that they face continued financial penalties if found guilty of premium-line phone failures.
"To restore trust with viewers, broadcasters need to deliver and demonstrate strong consumer protection as well as quality programming," Richards said. "Ofcom's consultation will identify the best way to make this happen."
The scandal was triggered this year when it emerged that viewers of Channel 4's daytime quiz show "You Say We Pay" were being duped and asked to pay £1 ($2) per call to enter a competition that had already closed.
Soon after, other broadcasters admitted to irregularities. So far, the regulator has imposed fines on Five, Channel 4 and the BBC and is still working through the backlog of cases.
Announcing the results of the first phase of its inquiry into the matter, Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards warned broadcasters that he takes the issue "extremely seriously" and that they face continued financial penalties if found guilty of premium-line phone failures.
"To restore trust with viewers, broadcasters need to deliver and demonstrate strong consumer protection as well as quality programming," Richards said. "Ofcom's consultation will identify the best way to make this happen."
The scandal was triggered this year when it emerged that viewers of Channel 4's daytime quiz show "You Say We Pay" were being duped and asked to pay £1 ($2) per call to enter a competition that had already closed.
Soon after, other broadcasters admitted to irregularities. So far, the regulator has imposed fines on Five, Channel 4 and the BBC and is still working through the backlog of cases.
- 7/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- In a ruling that could have major implications for other U.K. broadcasters caught up in the participation TV scandal here, media regulator Ofcom has imposed its highest-ever fine for a terrestrial channel on the Five channel for its role in the controversy.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said Tuesday that the regulator took the issue of compliance abuses very seriously and warned that other broadcasters could end up in the firing line.
"We take these issues extremely seriously and will not hesitate to protect viewers' interests. Every broadcaster needs to take very careful note of this decision," he said.
Five has been fined £300,000 ($599,670) for repeated breaches of the broadcasting code relating to its show "Brainteaser", produced by Endemol U.K. subsidiary Cheetah TV.
Ofcom is investigating 20 other complaints against U.K. terrestrial broadcasters charged with misleading viewers participating in onscreen competitions.
BBC1 and Channel 4 are among the networks awaiting Ofcom's review of their own conduct.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said Tuesday that the regulator took the issue of compliance abuses very seriously and warned that other broadcasters could end up in the firing line.
"We take these issues extremely seriously and will not hesitate to protect viewers' interests. Every broadcaster needs to take very careful note of this decision," he said.
Five has been fined £300,000 ($599,670) for repeated breaches of the broadcasting code relating to its show "Brainteaser", produced by Endemol U.K. subsidiary Cheetah TV.
Ofcom is investigating 20 other complaints against U.K. terrestrial broadcasters charged with misleading viewers participating in onscreen competitions.
BBC1 and Channel 4 are among the networks awaiting Ofcom's review of their own conduct.
- 6/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards hinted Thursday that he will press ahead with plans to create a £350 million ($690 million) a year "public service publisher" channel that will generate online and broadband public service content.
Speaking in an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Richards said the PSP will compete with the BBC and Channel 4 to create branded broadband content and will provide a rival to such outlets as MySpace and Google Video.
"The kernel of the idea, I'm absolutely increasingly convinced we were right about," he told the Guardian. "Look at the speed of change. Where was MySpace when we did that? Where was Google Video?"
The idea of a PSP was originally floated in 2004, when it was intended to back public service television production.
Richards did not give any details about how the PSP will be financed, or indicate whether it will take license fee money from the BBC, something sure to provoke controversy.
Speaking in an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Richards said the PSP will compete with the BBC and Channel 4 to create branded broadband content and will provide a rival to such outlets as MySpace and Google Video.
"The kernel of the idea, I'm absolutely increasingly convinced we were right about," he told the Guardian. "Look at the speed of change. Where was MySpace when we did that? Where was Google Video?"
The idea of a PSP was originally floated in 2004, when it was intended to back public service television production.
Richards did not give any details about how the PSP will be financed, or indicate whether it will take license fee money from the BBC, something sure to provoke controversy.
- 12/21/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- U.K. media regulator Ofcom said Thursday it has promoted chief operating officer Ed Richards to the post of chief executive, a move which follows the departure of Stephen Carter earlier this year. Richards will oversee all aspects of U.K. media regulation, including assessing the market impact of proposed new services from the BBC. Immediate issues include a resolution on the stalled issue of whether junk food advertising should be allowed on children's television and a financial review of Channel 4.
- 10/5/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Channel 4 must face a future without immediate government financial support, but ITV will be allowed to drop some of its public service commitments in favor of more commercial programming, a report from media regulator Ofcom said Tuesday. The regulator also believes it should play a role in regulating some elements of the BBC. The report, the final stage of a 12-month analysis of the state of public service programming in the United Kingdom, will form the basis of media regulation for the major terrestrial channels during the next five years in the United Kingdom. Ofcom director Ed Richards said he found "no immediate case" to support Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan's claim that the broadcaster would be suffering a £100 million ($186 million) a year funding deficit within five years. The publicly owned broadcaster secures all its revenues from such commercial sources as airtime sales, licensing and channel revenues but has said it will not be able to sustain its program standards without financial support in the future.
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.