BBFC Cinema, Blu-Ray and DVD classifications are not supported for use on any service where video is delivered to the end-user as a digital file (streaming or download). BBFC labelling symbols can only be used by VOD services if they are a BBFC.online member.

BBFC.online was established in partnership with the home entertainment industry in 2008 to extend the use of its trusted and recognised ratings and classification symbols onto Video On Demand (VOD) services.

• Platforms (VOD services) wishing to display ratings issued by the BBFC, and/or to use the BBFC labelling symbols to indicate these ratings, must be registered as BBFC.online members.

• Content Owners (studios, distributors etc) wishing to supply BBFC rated works to a platform must also be BBFC.online members.

• If a BBFC.online Content Owner is supplying digitally rated works to a VOD platform, that platform must also be a BBFC.online member to use those ratings.

• A simple low-cost path is offered to extend the use of works rated by the BBFC for DVD and Blu Ray for use on digital services. BBFC.online members can also access Watch & Rate – a low cost way to obtain BBFC ratings for works only being sold digitally.

Please read on for more detail, or contact ionline@bbfc.co.uk, for further information on rating works for digital classification or displaying BBFC ratings on your VOD service.

What is BBFC.online?

• BBFC.online is a flexible, low-cost and trusted labelling and content advice system for set-top box, video-on-demand and web film content, including Video On Demand (VOD) and Electronic Sell Through (EST).
• It provides the BBFC’s trusted and recognised classifications, category symbols and Consumer Advice and adds trust, recognition and value to content sold, whatever the distribution platform.
• It is aimed at content providers and platforms. More than 20 premium studios / content providers have already joined and more than 214,000 online certificates have been issued.

 

Point of Sale, EPG and Website Information. We license platforms (Websites, Set-top Boxes, Connected TV services etc) to use our genuine symbols and bespoke Consumer Advice. Our un-biased and respected Extended Classification Information is also exclusively available to members.

Point of viewing information. “Electronic black cards” reflect the familiarity of our cinema certificates. These are produced by the BBFC and can be played at the start of the movie or episode. The consumer gets the trusted ‘look and feel’ of a BBFC classification and a repeat of the ‘Cinema Experience’.

 

Costs and coverage

• Annual Content Provider membership begins at just £100, rates for platforms start from £1,000.
• Over 95% of film features on current UK VOD slates already have an online classification or are eligible to receive one instantly (BBFC Research Feb 2010).
• BBFC is a not-for-profit organisation and this is reflected in the pricing structure.

New DVD/Blu-Ray submissions. Get an Online Classification for an optional £10 fee.

Online/VOD/EST-only works (Non-DVD/Blu-Ray). These works can be rated via our Watch & Rate service. Full details, including pricing, can be found here:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/customers/watch-and-rate

Back Catalogue. All works submitted for VRA classification before Jan 1st 2011 have an Online Classification. Newer titles (those that we have classified for DVD/Blu-Ray) cost £10 per title.

 

Brand Trust

 

• Over 80% of the public think that the BBFC gets classifications right 99% of the time (2009 Research – Hardie).
• 91% of parents want BBFC classifications on downloads of ‘films and programmes’ (TNS 2007).
• No learning curve for parents or late-to-digital customers – the BBFC’s symbols are already known and understood.
• Our Extended Classification Information contains detailed information about the content of films and the rationale behind our decisions, providing reassurance for parents choosing family viewing.

 

Integrity

 

The BBFC is responsible for its decisions and will answer any criticism – your own customer helpline staff can forward on any complaints about a film’s classification.

 

Regulatory and Legal Protection

 

BBFC.online offers value-for-money risk management:

• VOD services supplying content that might seriously impair the physical, mental or moral development of persons under the age of 18, must ensure that the material is made available in a manner which ensures that such persons will not normally see or hear it.
• The UK VOD regulator (ATVOD) has stated that Content classified ‘U’-’18′ by the BBFC does not fall into this category. BBFC.online is a valuable and uniform compliance tool for VOD platforms, backed up by our assistance with ATVOD registration.

 

Delivery and Integration

All required information is available to service members electronically via the BBFC’s extranet.  New online classifications are available as fast as existing DVD classifications – and instantly for back-catalogue.

• We can provide classification data automatically by feed or on a ‘pull’ basis via our extranet.
• We can work with customers on the implementation to any platform or standard, through shaping our metadata.
• Our integration team will work with your compliance and programming/technical staff to ensure the supply of all necessary assets.

Implementation

 

BBFC.online membership includes advice on integration, process design, pipeline management, regulatory issues, staff training and IT support

 

Benefits of the Service

 

For Consumers

• A recognised and trusted brand when choosing audiovisual content.
• Familiar style of advice, signage and guidance, and clear signposts for queries and feedback.

For VOD / Platform Operators

• A value added proposition for your distribution channel – the BBFC’s tried and trusted symbols give peace of mind to new and returning customers.
• Assistance in complying with new statutory rules for VOD services.
• A labelling and content advice system developed to work with your platform.
• Easy access to BBFC data.
• The service has the support of the DCMS, BVA, and MPA.
• Independent legal opinion has described the service as ‘pro-competitive’ and meeting UK and EU competition law standards.

Who Should Join?

The Service is open to all digital content providers and platforms.

The BBFC.online membership form can be downloaded here. Details of how to return the completed document are included within the form.

Or contact the BBFC.online team for further information. Tel: 020-7440-0299 or ionline@bbfc.co.uk

BBFC.online Member List – 2012

Aggregators

Blinkbox
BT Vision
Curzon-On-Demand
PictureBox
Netflix
Tesco plc
TalkTalk
Tibboh Internet Services

Content Providers

2Entertain
Artificial Eye
AV Pictures
BFI
Darker Enterprises
Deadmeat Productions
Entertainment One
Harmony
Hit! Entertainment
Independent Film Company
ITV Studios
Lionsgate
Momentum
Network Sound & Media
Paramount Pictures
Pied Piper
Revolver
StudioCanal
Technicolor
Twentieth Century Fox
Universal Pictures
Walt Disney
Warner Brothers

*On hiatus