Digital Economy Bill

Ofcom gave evidence at the Select Committee session on 13th October.  The transcript has just been published and can be viewed here.

Various topics of interest to CFC members were discussed including switching, broadband USO, nuisance calls, data protection/data sharing, regulation of the BBC and auto-compensation. Tony Close, Ofcom’s Director of Content Standards, Licensing and Enforcement, said in his evidence that Ofcom supported the Action on Hearing Loss amendment about access services on video on-demand (column 108).

Paul Breckell, Action on Hearing Loss Chief Executive, says: ‘We are pleased that Ofcom would welcome an amendment to the Digital Economy Bill that would ensure access services – subtitles, audio-description and BSL – are included for TV watched on-demand.‘Unlike traditional TV, there is currently no requirement for TV providers to include access services in their on-demand content. As a result, many services remain inaccessible to people with sensory loss, with over three-quarters of TV on-demand providers still not offering subtitles, despite a year on year growth in audience figures..

‘Legislation in this area is what we have been calling for through our Subtitle it! campaign for some time and Ofcom as the regulator is best placed to ensure equal access for all.’