MATV in breach of Ofcom rules for exceeding commercial airtime

MATV has been found in breach of breaking Ofcom rules for exceeding commercial airtime.

During routine monitoring of MATV, Ofcom identified 22 instances when the amount of advertising broadcast in a clock hour exceeded the permitted allowance.

The duration of excess advertising broadcast in these clock hours ranged from 14 seconds to 48 minutes, with five clock hours containing more than twice the permitted allowance of 12 minutes. Ofcom considered that these instances raised potential issues under Rule 2 of COSTA and therefore sought comments from the Licensee on how the content complied with this rule.

Ofcom is particularly concerned that on five occasions, the amount of advertising broadcast in a single clock hour was more than twice the permitted allowance, and that two of these clock hours comprised continuous advertising for their entire duration.