OFCOM TV PROMOTION RULES.

27|10|08

The rules about TV promotions

TV broadcasters can promote their programmes and channels in advertising breaks without these promotions being considered adverts.

They’re allowed to do this under something called the Cross Promotion Code, which is regulated by Ofcom.

Effectively, it means that such promotions are not included in the amount of advertising a broadcaster is allowed to screen each hour.

But there are rules which govern these promotions, particularly when the adverts in question refer to rival broadcasters.

broadcast Bulletin

This month’s Broadcast Bulletin includes one such case when viewers complained about promotions screened by Sky.

You can read more about our ruling and other adjudications by clicking on this link to the Broadcast Bulletin.

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HUMAX FOXSATHDR320 PVR.

HUMAX FOXSATHDR320 PVR.

HUMAX FOXSATHDR320 PVR will be released very soon.
The Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR promises to be one of the best possible personal video recorders out there.
The spec from day one of the Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR has set the T.V. engineers and techie fraternity all hot and bothered.
We won't go into boring techie details, but report as Mr couch potato who wants everything that's T.V. possible.
What do we know about it;?
The Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR is future proofed so should really be good for a few years.
You will be able to record 320Gb of programmes and with the promise of possible external USB working connections, the hard drive could have been a fraction of the reported 320gb.
The idea of being able to record two different channels and watch one you have already recorded is a likeable gimmick or should that be function? We are sure this gimmick/function would baffle around 80% of the average T.V. viewer trying to set it up.
We like the idea of the CI slot which opens up the Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR like no other satellite set top box has ever been opened.
We live in hope that because the Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR is connected to the freesat baby there will not be too many restrictions similar to the freesat FoxsatHD set top box where you have to enter a completely seperate menu to access out of freesat channels.
We have no doubt that the Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR will be top quality and with all the promised functions will historically be copied by other manufacturers who will attempt to better it.
Knowing Humax and having owned their satellite receivers for many years, we believe even before release the Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR will be worth owning even although the freesat Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR is the first of it's kind.

Updates can be found here after release?
http://www.foxsathdr.co.uk

Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION.

INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION.

INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION is out to remove all these website nasties from our internet.
Policing the internet was always going to happen. To consider the removal of all these offensive websites from our internet is long overdue.
We did report back in April on our forum that there was over 3,000 child abuse websites with over 80% of them being commercial, this is not acceptable in any form and should be eradicated from the internet.
Our top five type of websites we would remove first!
1/Anything to do with child abuse.
2/Anything to do with terrorism.
3/Anything to do with terrorist coercion.
4/Anything to do with making weapons of any kind.
5/Anything to do with criminal activity.

24|10|08

IWF Awareness Day

Ofcom is today joining forces with internet service providers, mobile phone companies, charities and government departments to highlight the work of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).

The IWF is an independent non-profit organisation set up to address the problem of illegal material on the internet.

It works with ISPs and law enforcement agencies to tackle images of child abuse worldwide.

Offensive content

The IWF can also take action against criminally obscene or racist material if this is held on internet servers physically based within the UK.

Today’s campaign is to highlight the IWF ‘Hotline’ so people are in no doubt where they need to go to report offensive online content.

IWF Chief Executive Peter Robbins said: ‘The UK has a very proactive approach to tackling child sexual abuse content online but we could do even more with the public’s help.

‘That is why so many organisations are taking part in this campaign today to reach millions of people and raise awareness of our ‘Hotline’ service.’

Websites

He added: ‘Internet consumers should know that if they do stumble across these images then it’s vital to report them to the IWF; we have international partnerships in place to get these websites removed.

‘The IWF members and supporters who are united in their efforts to try to eradicate these terrible images on the internet deserve all our thanks.’

Ofcom Head of Media Literacy Robin Blake said: 'Ofcom's work to promote media literacy includes a remit to help people manage their activity on the internet.

'We fully support the work of the IWF in making the UK one of the safest places for children to enjoy the benefits of using the internet.’

If you have seen something on the internet which you believe could be illegal, you can contact the IWF ‘Hotline’.

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BBC TRUST OVERSIGHT.

BBC TRUST OVERSIGHT.

BBC TRUST OVERSIGHT is so open to abuse we cannot believe they have missed it.
The BBC Trust is usually so articulate in every fine detail then surely this has to be classed as one big oversight?
Below you can read part of a particular section on "Who needs a T.V. licence?"

Who needs a TV licence?(BBC Trust help files)

If you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV, you need a TV licence

* You need a TV licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a television set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.
* If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
* 98% of UK homes have a TV
* People aged 75 or over can apply for a free TV licence
* People who are registered blind or severely sight impaired quality for a 50% concession on the cost of a TV licence
* People living in residential care under certain conditions may qualify for a concessionary TV licence of £7.50 a year
**************
The section that reads;
If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
this simple phrase conjures up all sorts of problems for those attempting to enforce laws on licence fee dodgers and it is difficult to make any sense of it.
There is software out there at the moment that can record anything that can be shown on ANY screen and to seperate this from normal recording is fanciful and can be played upon in all sort of ways; for example, hand - helds, mobiles, notebooks, PC's. As most PC's today have T.V. cards already fitted if you want the all singing - all dancing version this would mean only a percentage of PC owners would be paying a T.V. licence for their PC - is this a can of worms or what?
The last T.V. licence I read suggested you only need receiving equipment to be liable for a T.V. licence fee - the staus quo has been changed? Surely it's not because from next year onward we will have the overwhelming choice of T.V. channels from Europe? which we can expect to pick up first on our mobile phones!
The word ambiguous jumps to mind as part of the suggestion says, quote;
If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
and yet a simple monitor may have no PC card or T.V. connection it still has the ability to accept and receive T.V. signals which in fact automatically rules out the above phrase;
If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
The BBC Trust needs to review this section as they have now given the licence fee dodger another hundred and one excuses not to pay their licence fee.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

OFCOM CHIEF EXECUTIVE ED RICHARDS BRUSSELS SPEECH.

20|10|08

Speed up regulation

Moves to reform the way communications industries are regulated across Europe need to be speeded-up so that consumers can benefit, Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards warned today.

Negotiations on the proposals to reform the EU regulatory Framework for communications have gone on for more than a year.

But Ed Richards said today that without significant commitment and openness to compromise there was a danger the reform could suffer undue delay.

The proposed reform would further open up to competition the communications markets across Europe.

Laudable proposals

This type of liberalisation of the markets – which has been underway since 2002 - has already provided enormous benefits, with consumers now enjoying better choice and services, and cheaper bills.

Speaking in Brussels today, Ed Richards said the reform contained a host of ‘self-evidently sensible and laudable proposals’.

He said any delay would prevent some important improvements from benefiting customers and industry.

He also cautioned against those who would cite the recent global financial problems as an excuse for not opening up the communications markets further.

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SPEACH BY SIR MICHAEL LYONS 15 -10 -2008.

SPEACH BY SIR MICHAEL LYONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BBC TRUST.

SPEACH BY SIR MICHAEL LYONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BBC TRUST important speach about the future plans covering the BBC and other channels being one day public owned is one of the better ideas in recent years which may one day come to fruition.
Part of the speach reads;

So, you want to know what’s my initial view on Ofcom’s Phase II document and the path it charts?

I think there’s much in the report to praise. Ofcom is making a brave attempt to air some difficult issues that many might prefer not to have to address. But overall, I think the document demonstrates there are questions still to ask and there is much more to be done to encourage ambition amongst the broadcasters themselves.

Let me be clear. I recognise the commercial PSBs are facing real financial pressures – along with many other businesses. But their immediate challenges should not be all which determines the future of broadcasting in this country. Hasty moves to dismantle structures which have taken decades to mature in return for a quick financial gain might look tempting at first glance, but they have a habit of coming back with a bite. Just ask those banks which used to be mutual building societies.

I am pleased that Ofcom now acknowledges ITV’s heritage and value as a regional broadcaster. But I am sceptical about any suggestion that Channel 4 can suddenly take its place either in terms of its structure or in the public’s hearts. Indeed, I question the scale of expectations being placed on Channel 4 full-stop.

We should all be concerned to safeguard that which makes Channel 4 special – not keep egging it on to do more. I think its move last week to withdraw from DAB was very difficult and disappointing for them and the future of digital radio, but it showed responsibility by their board.

I question the thinking behind a proposal to gift BBC Worldwide to Channel 4. Put aside for a moment whether this is actually legal, State Aid issues, and the merits of removing £100m a year of dividends back to the public via new BBC programmes. In what way might this make business sense for BBC Worldwide or Channel 4? I can see there could be some commercial deals that Channel 4 and Worldwide could do to the benefit of both, but Worldwide primarily exists to exploit the secondary rights of BBC public service programmes, not Channel 4. And besides, WW belongs to licence fee payers not Ofcom and not the government either.

I do worry that Ofcom has misunderstood the public’s view of the licence fee. I’ve said before that my experience of the public’s attitude to compulsory levies underlines two things: people don’t much like to pay, but when they have to, they want to know what it’s for and who’s responsible for doing the spending.

Ofcom’s own research shows that 87% of people recognise that the licence fee pays for the BBC in some form. Believe me, I know that is a very high recognition rate – and is a reason why the public has such high expectations from the BBC.
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FREESAT FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS.

15|10|08

Digital switchover

All care home residents are now to get help switching to digital TV.

There is already a nationwide scheme in place to help millions of older and disabled people with the digital switchover.

To be eligible for the scheme you have to be aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or eligible for certain disability benefits.

The Government has now extended the scheme to cover people in care homes.

Scottish borders

The Scottish borders will be the next region to switchover next month and arrangements are in place to contact all care homes in the area.

In each region the Switchover Help Scheme chooses a standard digital TV option.

The offer in the ITV Border area is a Sky satellite system and eligible viewers can have one installed for £40, or for free if they also get income benefits.

However, the standard choice for viewers in the West Country area – which is switching in 2010 - is a Freeview set top box.

Digital options

Those in that area unable to receive television through an aerial will be offered the satellite service Freesat instead.

All those who are eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme can also choose from other digital options, but some of these will cost extra.

Story source; Ofcom
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/carehomes

OFCOM CHAIRMAN DAVID CURRIE'S KEYNOTE SPEACH.

15|10|08

Currie on communications

Ofcom Chairman David Currie made a keynote speech today in which he highlighted the major changes in the communications sector during his time in office.

David, who is stepping down next year, said that intensive competition had led to many success stories across the industry.

These included massive growth in the number of homes with broadband, as well as falling telecoms prices.

But, speaking at the Ofcom Annual Lecture, he said this competition between rival firms had not always been good news for the consumer.

Slamming

It had led to problems such as mis-selling and slamming in telecoms, while consumer satisfaction in the communication sector was not as high as it should be.

But he said there had been success in tackling scams, such as dodgy mobile cashback offers and last year’s high profile phone-in competition problems.

David added: ‘Several broadcasters, who ought to have known better, came close to...read full story!

FREESAT SLINGBOX POSSIBLE CONNECTORS.

FREESAT SLINGBOX POSSIBLE CONNECTORS.

FREESAT SLINGBOX POSSIBLE CONNECTORS are thin on the ground unless you are very determined and either make up the cabling yourself or get an enterprising electrical shop wizard to make cabling up for you.
The Slingbox in it's various forms have attempted to somewhat fill the gap to connect all things video and audio.
At first glance at the graphics you really could'nt be faulted for thinking buyers in the U.K. are not getting what their American buyers of the Slingbox are getting, that is until you have a second look at the connections and you will in fact realise that the U.S. equivilant is getting a Slingbox which can connect and control three video sources.
You can click on the graphic to enlarge it.
The U.K. market are getting a Slingbox which can connect and control four video sources. So who is getting the best deal?
We reckon the U.K. are getting a better deal with the extra video control capability and the Slingbox dongle which comes with the Slingbox, and if the dongle connection is a true HD(there seems to be some confussion about this?) connection it opens all sorts of cans and worms.
While there is still a smouldering from some modern TV owners who do not have an HDMI socket or two the Slingbox and the Slingbox dongle this could possibly allow them complete integration with their freesat boxes.
The bottom graphic is another clever little box from the same camp which is called the SlingCatcher and rather than describe this also you can read the full story...

BT LAUNCHES NEW LOW COST PHONE.

BT LAUNCHES NEW LOW COST PHONE.

BT LAUNCHES NEW LOW COST PHONE which is lower than existing packages. The difference is customers need to be in one of three select categories and is designed for those on low income.

06|10|08

Low-cost phone

A new cheaper phone package has been launched to help people on low incomes keep in touch with friends and family.

Ofcom has worked closely with BT to develop the new low-cost BT Basic service.

It costs £13.50 a quarter – including an allowance of £4.50 to spend on calls - and is open to both new and existing BT customers.

It’s available to people who claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Guaranteed Pension Credit.

Direct debit

Customers can pay using any existing payment methods, including at a post office, by cheque or direct debit.

And, unlike some tariffs, you won’t be charged extra if you don’t want to pay by direct debit.

The £4.50 call allowance covers local, national and international landline calls but not premium rate, mobile phones or 0845/0870 numbers.

If you go over this allowance then you’ll pay the standard 10p a minute (plus 3p for each phone call) for all normal UK calls.

Ofcom review

Customers interested in signing up can call the freephone number 0800 800 864 to get a booklet and application form.

BT has to provide special tariff schemes for low income customers as part of its Universal Service Obligation.

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