Burnham decision welcome

Following a three month consultation last year, Andy Burnham has today made a Ministerial statement on how the Government intends to implement the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive.

In particular this covers:

the regulation of video-on-demand services;
a decision on product placement; and,
the regulation of non-EU satellite TV channels which are uplinked from the UK

The Ministerial statement can be found on the DCMS website at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/ minister_speeches/5932.aspx  and the accompanying press release is available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/ media_releases/5931.aspx

We are also today publishing a consultation summary report, along with responses to the consultation.  These can be found on the DCMS website at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/ publications/5911.aspx

Meanwhile, Ben Dowell writing in the Guardian, Thursday 12 March, reports that Michael Grade, ITV executive chairman, wants a judicial review of the Government's decision to continue the ban on product placement.

Grade said, “I am consulting my legal team as to whether we have a strong case for judicial review. I shall also be writing to the chief executiove of Ofcom to ask what measures he intends to introduce to 'protect' viewers from those programmes and films that already contain product placement and which have been broadcast on British television for many years."

The Campaign welcomes the decision by Andy Burnham to continue the ban on product placement on UK television.