Ofcom paves way for pay-TV channels on Freeview

by Joe Lepper, Brand Republic 19-Apr-06, 12:30

LONDON - Ofcom is to relax the rules restricting pay-TV channels from being broadcast on Freeview, leaving it up to the market to decide what is free and what is paid for.

The media regulator is to overhaul the licences for digital terrestrial television, awarded by Ofcom's predecessor the Independent Television Commission, which currently stipulate that channels must be free to air.

At present, Freeview viewers wishing to receive pay channels have to use the subscription service Top Up TV. It could spell trouble for Top Up TV because viewers would be able subscribe to individual services al a carte without having to buy a package.

Ofcom said the restriction in the modern age of digital terrestrial television was now out of date.

"Having considered the responses received during consultation, Ofcom believes that the current restriction on pay TV channels is no longer a matter requiring regulatory intervention and that finding the right balance between pay and free-to-air services on the digital terrestrial television platform can be better left to the market," Ofcom said.

The decision does not affect the free-to-air obligation of public service broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext.

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