ATVOD, the co-regulator for on demand content, has responded to a complaint against a 4oD showing of Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights by setting up a sub committee to consider the complaint.The details were given in the recently released minutes for the December meeting of the organisation, whose responsibility is to regulate the content of VOD services in the UK that are considered to be ‘TV-like’. The minutes show chief executive Pete Johnson was to draft a recommendation and ask for volunteers to sit on the sub-committee.
Ofcom, which ceded responsibility for the regulation of VOD to ATVOD, has already launched an investigation into the linear transmission of the comedian’s show after the model Katie Price complained following comments made by Boyle about her disabled son.
The level of complaints received by ATVOD remains unclear. The October minutes show just one complaint had been received and there is no guidance on the ATVOD website as to any other complaints that might have been received.
Earlier this week it was revealed ATVOD faced a shortfall of £41,000 (€48,618) in the costs of carrying out its responsibilities during its first year of operation.
ATVOD has subsequently informed us that it has received 21 complaints since it took on responsibility in September. Forming a sub-committee to look at a complaint is standard procedure if a complaint is considered to require a full investigation.
