Folks, Ofcom just released an interesting consultation on cross-promotion. I�ll probably write more on this later, but here is a brief overview.

* The consultation document is available here.

* Ofcom proposes two main policies:

1. A requirement on all commercial television licensees to limit the subject of cross-promotions to broadcasting-related services. This is necessary in order to protect consumers from promotions that provide no benefit to their viewing experience and might resemble advertising.

2. A requirement on ITV1, Channel 4 and Five to maintain neutrality between digital retail television services and digital platforms. This is particularly important as analogue-only homes must make choices about digital television services in the run up to digital switchover. Consumers should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their choice of digital retail television service or digital platform.

* Here is some Ofcom-branded-third-party research related to the consultation.

* Ofcom acknowledge their proposed policies won’t apply to the BBC unless the DCMS includes such provisions in the new BBC charter. (D’oh!). Accordingly, Ofcom say they have ‘discussed its views’ with DCMS. Is that regulatory cross-promotion?

So, Ofcom want to ‘protect consumers from promotions that provide no benefit to their viewing experience and might resemble advertising’? Are they going to outlaw the party political broadcasts? Every time I see Ofcom say they want to ‘protect’ the public from the media, I’m initially suspicious…

Stay tuned…