Ofcom says catch-up services from Public Service Broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV should be easy to find on streaming sticks, smart TVs and set top boxes.
Live channels from PSB broadcasters are guaranteed prominence in programme guides, a provision the regulator reiterated its support for today, but there are currently no rules ensuring this applies to their apps.
The media regulator has today called on ministers to bring forward new legislation to address this.
In a statement it said: “Currently, Ofcom cannot extend ‘prominence’ rules to television delivered via the internet. Parliament would need to introduce new legislation to extend regulation to online platforms and services.
“So we are also today recommending to Government that new rules are established to ensure that PSB content is clearly visible on major viewing platforms, such as smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming sticks.”
