Ofcom today said it is concerned by "some licensees' continuing failure to comply with the requirements" and that broadcasters should note Ofcom will consider imposing sanctions against them. .
Rule 4 of the Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising (COSTA), states: "Time devoted to television advertising and teleshopping spots on any channel in any one hour must not exceed 12 minutes."
Ofcom said between 17 February and 28 February, there were five separate incidences where Disney-owned sports broadcaster ESPN appeared to have transmitted more than the permitted allowance of advertising minutes during one clock hour.
ESPN blamed a number of technical problems and the uncertain duration of live sports events and said "existing compliance-checking procedures were neither flexible nor effective enough to deal with the uncertain duration of live sports events".
However, Ofcom found ESPN in breach of the COSTA because the broadcaster had promised to improve its procedures after previous breaches in January, and Ofcom said it may consider "further regulatory action" if this problem recurs.
Channel 4 was found in breach of COSTA for the broadcast of Channel 4 racing on 20 February, which included 13 minutes and 44 seconds of advertising during one clock hour.
In addition on 3 March, Ofcom observed that Channel 4 digital channel More 4 transmitted 12 minutes and 11 seconds of advertising during one clock hour, 11 seconds more than allowed.
Channel 4 said it has taken further steps to ensure compliance with COSTA since these incidents but Ofcom noted that Channel 4 made similar promises after a previous incident in January and so found the broadcaster in breach and said it may consider "further regulatory action if this problem recurs".
Other TV channels found in breach of COSTA include CSC Media Group's channels Kix!, Pop, Pop Girl, Tiny Pop, True Entertainment, True Movies, True Movies, Asia TV's Zing as well as Film 24, Horse & Country TV and Body in Balance.
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