News brief: Ofcom levies £120k fine on ESPN

UK communications regulator Ofcom has fined ESPN (Europe, Middle East and Africa) £120,000 (US$202,129) for failing to provide the required amount of audio description with its programming.

The regulator said that, following an investigation last year, it found that the pay TV sports net had breached the rules. In 2012, it provided audio description – a commentary woven around a soundtrack for visually impaired viewers – for 2.3% of its programming against the 5% stipulated. Ofcom levied a £120,000 fine accordingly.

UK telco BT’s BT Sport acquired the UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America channels last year.