Hidayat TV exceeds minimum advertising limit
Islamic channel, Hidayat TV has been rapped by Ofcom for exceeding the advertising allowance on-air.
Ofcom states that the advertising time in a single clock hour should not exceed 12 minutes. During monitoring of Hidayat TV on 9th October 2013 between 16:00 and 19:00, Ofcom noted 13 minutes and 22 seconds of advertising during commercial breaks in the 18:00 clock hour.
During programming between 16:00 and 19:00 Ofcom noted a scrolling caption ran across the bottom of the screen in a continuous loop, comprising appeals to viewers for funds for programming, information on community events and administrative notices. Hidayat TV expressed regrets for the breach. It explained that the scrolling text was ���purely non commercial community news� and was not carried as television advertising or teleshopping with any financial gain.
Ofcom noted the Licensee�۪s statement that there was no commercial intent or financial gain for the channel behind the scrolling text highlighted. However, Ofcom considered that an invitation to businesses to advertise on Hidayat TV represented an announcement for self – promotional purposes in order to promote the supply of goods and services in return for payment, and therefore fell within the definition of television advertising.
