LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the U.K. communications industries, said Thursday it will review operation of the U.K.'s TV advertising market, looking at the underlying trading model and the way TV advertising is currently bought and sold. MAIN FACTS: -Review will seek to assess whether the current method prevents, distorts or restricts competition, and whether this has a detrimental effect on consumers. -If Ofcom's review reveals cause for concern, it will pass the matter to the Competition Commission for a full-scale, formal review of the trading model. -Currently commercial broadcasters are allowed more advertising minutes per hour than Public Service Broadcasters but no decision will be made yet whether this should be changed. -By Ian Walker, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9296; ian.walker@dowjones.com
