Announcement on Participation TV regulation
3 June 2010
It has been announced today that from 1 September all forms of Participation TV (PTV) will be regulated by the communications regulator, Ofcom. This follows Ofcom’s consultation on PTV services: Rules on the promotion of premium rate services (PRS).
PTV is a long-form TV advertisement for direct-response, remote entertainment services, such as live chat services, that typically provide an interactive element for viewers through Premium Rate Service phone lines. Currently, the ASA is responsible for regulating some PTV services such as gambling, message boards and dating.
Ofcom and the ASA have agreed that Ofcom will, for the time being, take over responsibility for regulating PTV.
If the ASA receives complaints about PTV it will refer them to Ofcom who will determine whether a complaint is in breach of the BCAP Code; the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising.
Ofcom’s statement is available on their website.
