MATV rapped by Ofcom for exceeding commercial airtime

Community channel, MATV has been rapped by Ofcom for exceeding commercial airtime over a three-month period between December 2021 and February 2022.

Ofcom identified 17 instances when the amount of advertising broadcast in a clock hour exceeded 12 minutes. The duration of excess advertising broadcast in these clock hours ranged from 33 seconds to 14 minutes and 15 seconds, with two clock hours containing over 10 minutes more than the permitted allowance.

Ofcom said its scheduling staff were still working from home, resulting in a lack of accuracy in play out timings.

Ofcom took into account: MATV’s explanation of the circumstances that resulted in it exceeding the permitted allowance of advertising; and that it had implemented strict checking procedures following the incidents. Nevertheless, Ofcom expressed concerned that MATV has broadcast more advertising than permitted, in some cases significantly, on a further 17 occasions within a relatively short period of time.