ATVOD Soon to Hand Over VOD Regulation to Ofcom

ATVOD Soon to Hand Over VOD Regulation to Ofcom

LONDON — In just a bit more than a week, ATVOD will be no more.

As announced in October, ATVOD, known formally as the Authority for Television on Demand, will fold its operations into the grips of British chief communications czar, Ofcom, by the end of the year.

Ofcom will begin handling complaints, current ATVOD probes and fee payments at the expiration of ATVOD’s tenure as co-regulator of video-on-demand content starting Dec. 31 at 5 p.m.

Ofcom already has created a new section of its website containing information on Ofcom rules, guidance and procedures for VOD content.  

Three members of ATVOD’s investigations team — Cathy Taylor, Jhaapjeet Chodha and James Storm — will transfer over to Ofcom.

ATVOD was tapped in 2010 to co-regulate VOD content, much of it adult entertainment, with Ofcom.

But U.K.’s chief communications regulator in said that following a review of ATVOD’s role, it decided that “acting as sole regulator for VOD programs is a more effective model for the future than having two separate bodies carrying out this work.”

ATVOD CEO Pete Johnson, in a farewell address today, said that he wished his investigations team well following Ofcom’s “strategic decision to take the relevant functions in-house in light of changes in the market for on-demand program services.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped ATVOD to discharge its duties so effectively and efficiently since its designation in 2010, including all those who have participated in the Industry Forum and its working parties, but especially the dedicated ATVOD Board and my excellent staff who have worked so hard to deliver excellent service to the public and to service providers,” he said.

“It has been a fascinating five years, and I wish you all the best for the future.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Byborg Invests $22.35M in PLBY Group

Luxembourg-based Byborg Enterprises SA is investing $22.35 million in Playboy parent company PLBY Group.

Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on Texas AV Law in January

The United States Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the Free Speech Coalition’s (FSC) challenge to Texas’ age verification law for Wednesday, Jan. 15.

2025 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2025 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2025 conference.

Project 2025 Leader Claims Big Tech Companies 'Deliberately Fuel Pornography Addiction' Among Men

Heritage Foundation president and Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts published on Wednesday the text of a speech in which he persists with his past claim that “predatory Big Tech corporations” are “deliberately fueling pornography addiction” among young men.

FSC Petitions 10th Circuit for Review of Utah AV Dismissal

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) on Wednesday petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to review a decision handed down earlier this month by a three-judge panel of the same appeals court, which denied FSC the right to challenge Utah’s controversial age verification law by suing state officials.

MyAdultAttorney's Corey D. Silverstein to Hold Post-Election Legal Impact Webinar

Industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein will hold a “Legal Impact” webinar titled “We Have a New U.S. President: Legal and Community Implications” on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. PST.

Pornhub Shuts Down Access in Oklahoma Over Age Verification

Aylo began geo-blocking Pornhub across Oklahoma on Tuesday, three days in advance of the state’s new age verification law, SB 1959, taking effect.

LALExpo Unveils Details of Upcoming Show

Organizers of LALExpo have released new details about the Latin American adult business conference, which will take place at the Valle del Pacífico Event Center in Cali, Colombia, from Feb. 23-26.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released its list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters in more than three dozen countries during August and September.

Lightspeed Media Onboards Industry Vets JMan, Marukel

LightSpeed Media has added veteran industry figures JMan and Marukel to its team.

Show More