On 2 February 2017, Ofcom launched a consultation to investigate an appropriate fee structure for on-demand programme service ("ODPS") providers from the financial year 2017 – 2018 onwards.
There are costs associated with Ofcom fulfilling its duties as sole regulator for editorial content on ODPS since the designation of the Authority for Television on Demand ("ATVOD") ended on 31 December 2015 - Ofcom may charge fees to cover these costs, although it is not required to do so. Despite ATVOD charging ODPS fees during its period as co-regulator, Ofcom decided not to charge for the financial year 2016 – 2017, but to review the structure for the subsequent period.
Ofcom is therefore currently investigating four fee options: (i) no fee for any ODPS providers; (ii) the same fee for all ODPS providers; (iii) a fee for all ODPS providers but different thresholds apply; or (iv) sharing the costs of regulating ODPS between the larger providers. Ofcom's preference is option (iv). Stakeholders have until 29 March 2017 to comment and Ofcom intends to publish a response statement in April 2017.
Click here to access the Ofcom consultation.
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