British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) meaning

For other frequently used film and TV terms, see the following: Film and TV glossary C–D Film and TV glossary E–H Film and TV glossary I–L Film and TV glossary M–P Film and TV glossary R–S Film and TV glossary T–W Abandonment When a commissioning producer acquires takeover rights and, then or later, at any time, decides in their sole and absolute discretion that completing the film is not financially viable, they may, by notice in writing, delivered to the film production company itself, formally declare the production of the film abandoned and thereby bring the film’s production to a formal end. Acquisition agreements These agreements are intended for use in circumstances where a company obtains from the film’s owner rights across multiple separate media for a specified territory. See: Acquisition agreement—film—rights in a number of separate media for a designated territory—owner of film: Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents [58]. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ...

This Practice Note provides an overview of media content regulation in the UK. The primary media regulators are: Broadcasting (television and radio) — Ofcom Press and magazines — Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) Advertising — Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Cinema and video — British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) Video on demand (VoD) — Ofcom Video-sharing platforms (VSPs) — Ofcom Social media platforms and search engines — Ofcom Broadcasting Ofcom oversees television and radio programme content by setting and enforcing codes that broadcasters must comply with. The key code for editorial standards is the Ofcom Broadcasting Code (OBC). Broadcast advertising content is handled by the ASA—see Advertising below. In November 2025, Ofcom sought input on reforming broadcast regulation, inviting views on updates in three broad areas: licensing advertising (with an emphasis on the volume permitted on particular services, rather than advertising content) content standards See: LNB News...