Smart speakers are playing an important role in combatting loneliness for people who live on their own, according to new Ofcom research. The regulator’s latest data show that smart speaker ownership nearly doubled during the pandemic, increasing from 22 per cent of households in 2020 to 39 per cent earlier in 2022. But why do […]
Audience research commissioned by broadcast regulator Ofcom reveals UK viewers’ attitudes towards commercial references in and around TV programmes. In addition to income from adverts in commercial breaks, broadcasters can generate revenue from references in programmes. These commercial arrangements allow brands, products and services to feature in and around TV programmes – through product placement […]
UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has ruled that two TV programmes, featuring celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, broke its broadcasting rules, because they included offensive language but were shown before the 9pm watershed. An episode of Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back, broadcast before the watershed at 12.10 on Channel 4 on August 10th, included […]
Ofcom probes telecoms price rise transparency UK comms regulator Ofcom has launched an industry-wide enforcement programme into whether in-contract price rises were set out clearly enough by phone and broadband companies before customers signed up. Having analysed customer complaints and other preliminary evidence, Ofcom is concerned that consumers who took out contracts between March 1st, […]
The BBC needs to do more to reach and resonate with viewers and listeners on lower incomes, Ofcom has found in its annual report on the BBC’s performance. Ofcom’s report finds that people in lower socio-economic groups – who account for almost a quarter of the UK population – are less engaged and less satisfied […]
The BBC is further improving its complaints process to support greater transparency and maintain trust with audiences. To deliver this commitment, the BBC says it will: Make the complaints website easier to find and use; better explain how audience feedback is shared and used across the BBC and improve how we explain the steps in […]
With the FIFA World Cup in Qatar well under way, research from broadcaster regulator Ofcom reveals the different ways UK followers plan to view the action. “Things have come a long way since the first football World Cup in 1930, and since the first televised World Cup in 1954,” notes Ofcom. “While the previous tournament […]
In a study of choice in news, UK comms regulator Ofcom has identified concerns around the impact of online news ‘gatekeepers’ – particularly social media, such as Facebook, but also search engines and news apps such as Apple News and Google News. Ofcom’s report, Media plurality and online news, highlights how far these companies – […]
UK regulator Ofcom has already identified Elon Musk’s Starlink and Canadian operator Telesat for their innovative wireless and broadband services. Both Starlink and Telesat’s Lightspeed licences are being approved and extended. Additionally, Ofcom has issued its future plan to encourage and enable further innovation. Ofcom’s initiative includes a new strategy for supporting the space sector […]
Ofcom has announced it is expanding the breadth of data it collects annually from TV and radio broadcasters to help promote equity, diversity and inclusion across the broadcasting industry. This follows a five-year review of progress, which identified where the regulator could help drive further improvements so that the sector accurately reflects the diverse audiences […]