MATV given serious warning by Ofcom
Free-to-air satellite broadcaster, MATV, has been given a serious warning by Ofcom for failing to supply recordings of its output on Ofcom’s request.
Despite requesting the first recording on 8th June 2010, Ofcom received no communication from MATV until it contacted the broadcaster on 23rd June 2010 to enquire why the recording had not yet been provided. MATV then sought confirmation of the name of the specific channel and then told Ofcom that it would be in receipt of the recording within 48 hours.
However, it took a further seven days and additional contact from Ofcom before both the recordings were received on 2nd July 2010.
As noted above, the recordings were inadequate since neither recording included any sound. Ofcom was therefore concerned about MATV?s failure to supply forthwith a recording of the programme broadcast on 6th June 2010 despite reminders from Ofcom, and MATV?s failure to supply recordings with sound.
Further, Ofcom noted that MATV?s response indicated the lack of audio in the recordings was owing to “some issue that day” but as the affected programmes were broadcast on different days, it was apparent to Ofcom that the problem was not confined to just one day.
Ofcom is therefore now putting MATV on notice that, in the event of any further breaches of this Licence Condition, Ofcom will proceed to considering further regulatory action.
