Notifying an on-demand service

Published: 8 September 2021

Ofcom regulates editorial content (programming) on UK video-on-demand services.

Providers of on-demand programme services (ODPS) are required by law to notify us before their service begins, and to let us know if the service closes or undergoes significant changes. These criteria and the content standards requirements are set out in Section 4A of the Communications Act 2003 (“the Act”).

Ofcom has published guidance (PDF, 299.3 KB) on the statutory criteria for determining whether a service is an on-demand programme service and how and when a provider will be expected to notify.

This guidance reflects changes to the regulatory framework which came into force on 1 November 2020.

This guidance provides information about how a provider should notify to Ofcom once they have determined that they are providing an on-demand programme service. Please read this guidance carefully before completing the notification form.

Guidance notes on how to notify an on-demand programme service to Ofcom (PDF, 195.7 KB)

Notification form for ODPS providers (ODT, 46.3 KB)

Back to top