Published: 19th December 2011

TalkTalk joins BBFC's online film labelling service

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has added TalkTalk to the BBFC.online classification service.

TalkTalk will launch YouView in Spring 2012, and subscribers viewing film content will see the same classification symbols and content information as those the BBFC provides for cinema releases and DVDs. The BBFC's information will make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions about the films they and their families watch.

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC, said

'We're delighted to add TalkTalk to our BBFC.online service. Parents have told us it's important for them to see the classification symbols they recognise before they stream a film for family consumption. We asked parents for their views and 82% said they would prefer to download films that are classified with the trusted BBFC symbols and Consumer Advice.'

Max Alexander, Director of TV at TalkTalk, said

'It's important that our customers trust the suitability of content they are about to watch and this agreement with the BBFC gives them what they want. Working with the BBFC shows our ongoing commitment to ensure that we help protect our customers across all products and services they use with us.'

BBFC.online was launched in 2008 to provide the BBFC's trusted and recognised classifications, category symbols and Consumer Advice to set-top box, video-on-demand and online content providers. The BBFC worked closely with the home entertainment industry to develop the voluntary regulatory service to bring the benefits of the DVD classification system to digital content that is delivered online.

TalkTalk joins other key industry members working with the BBFC including Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Europe, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and platforms including BlinkBox and Picturebox, bringing the total number of members to 33.

END

Notes to Editors  

  1. The BBFC.online scheme includes console-style games which are supplied to the customer via download.
  2. The research referred to is On-line Media Regulation carried out by Bernice Hardy in June 2011
  3. The BBFC's legal advice is that works supplied by 'non-physical' means (eg by streaming or download) are not covered by the Video Recordings Act 1984.
  4. Membership of the Scheme is voluntary and by subscription and there is no cost to consumers.
  5. BBFC.online is 'Platform Neutral' - it is designed to cover all forms of digital content delivery (eg web, set top boxes, hand-held devices and mobile phones).
  6. BBFC.online complies with the self regulatory model advocated by ATVOD.

About the BBFC

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, private, not for profit company which classifies films, videos, DVDs and certain video games, advertisements and trailers.  The BBFC operates transparent, well-understood and trusted co-regulatory and self regulatory classification regimes based on years of expertise and published Guidelines which reflect public opinion and the risk of harm; and is accountable to Parliament.