The regulator, Ofcom, said market developments, including the availability of streaming services, mean it will consider revising advertising regulations. Currently, public service broadcasters are limited to an average of seven minutes of advertising per hour during the day, while private channels allow nine minutes for advertising and another three for teleshopping. Ofcom said that while the expanded entertainment option was “generally positive” for the public, it “put pressure on broadcasters, squeezing revenue and making it harder for them to maintain their current supply”. The regulator said: “We are reviewing a number of options, but before we formulate any plan, we will listen to different views and consider what viewers are saying. “We need to strike the right balance between protecting the interests of viewers and maintaining our traditional broadcaster, which includes helping them compete with American streaming platforms.” Ofcom said it expects to provide more details on possible changes later in the summer.
