This spring we have published three documents as part of our ongoing work to implement the Media Act.
We are consulting on our proposals to update PSB quotas, as the Media Act allows the PSBs, for the first time, to use their on-demand services (in addition to their linear services) to meet their quotas for original, regional and independent production. Our consultation includes proposals to convert proportional quotas to absolute numbers, as the new framework means the way quotas are set must be revised to reflect that they can now be met through provision of on-demand content.
Following consultation earlier this year, we have also published our statement on the principles and methods we will use in making our recommendations to the Secretary of State on the designation of ‘radio selection services’ (RSS). Under Part 6 of the Media Act, designated RSS must comply with new rules that aim to protect the availability of UK radio on connected audio devices.
Similarly to the above, Part 2 of the Media Act requires us to make recommendations to the Secretary of State on designation of ‘television selection services’ (TSS). These are the connected TV platforms which will be subject to new requirements to ensure prominence of PSBs on-demand players and public service content. In April, we published our statement on the principles and methods we will use in making our recommendations.
In the last month we have published four consultations, as we continue to implement the new provisions in the Media Act 2024.
The Act introduces a new a new prominence and availability regime which will require certain connected TV platforms to ensure that the Public Service Broadcasters’ (PSBs) on-demand apps, and their public service content are available, prominent, and easily accessible. In return for these new benefits, PSBs must ensure that their designated apps make a significant contribution to the fulfilment of their individual public service remits. As part of ensuring transparency in how the PSBs plan to deliver this, the Act requires them to, in their annual Statements of Programme Policy, identify each service’s contribution to meeting their obligations.
Today we have launched two consultations as the first step to implementing these new requirements:
- We are consulting on updating our guidance to the licensed PSBs on the range of information provided in their Statements of Programme Policy, and Channel 4 in its Statements of Media Content Policy.
- We have also published a consultation on our proposals on implementation of the designation process for the PSB’s on-demand apps.
We are also currently consulting on our revised guidance for PSBs on their Commissioning Codes of Practice.
PSBs are required to have a Code which they follow when commissioning independent productions and which reflects Ofcom’s Guidance. We are proposing to revise this guidance to reflect the updated regulatory PSB framework brought in under the Act.
Last week we published our consultation on the principles and methods we propose to use in making recommendations to the Secretary of State for designated radio selection services.
The Act introduces for the first time a set of rules which aim to protect the availability of UK radio on connected audio devices. It brings into regulation certain voice-activated online services known under the Act as radio selection services (RSS), which have been designated by the Secretary of State. Our first role relevant to these new regulations is to provide the Secretary of State with a report making recommendations about which radio selection services should be designated. The consultation sets out our proposals for the principles and methods we will use to arrive at those recommendations.
We have published two consultations as we begin to implement new laws under the Media Act 2024.
These new laws are designed to protect public service broadcasting while fostering innovation, so that UK audiences can enjoy the services, video and programmes they love.
We are implementing the new rules as quickly as possible, in line with our roadmap, in a way that is fair, proportionate and effective.
Consultation on our approach to making recommendations on Designation of Television Selection Services
Public service broadcasters provide trusted and accurate news and a diverse range of high-quality content for UK audiences, so it is critical that viewers can easily find and discover what they offer.
The Media Act 2024 introduced a new online availability and prominence regime for PSB TV apps – such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 stream, My5, STV player, S4C Clic - distributed on connected TV platforms. Specifically, the regime requires those services, designated by the Secretary of State, to ensure that designated PSB TV apps and their content are available, prominent, and easily accessible. While BBC iPlayer will be automatically designated, we will designate the other PSB TV apps.
We must provide a report to the Secretary of State setting out our recommendations on the designation of television selection services. We must first publish a statement of principles and methods outlining the approach that we will use in setting out our recommendations. We are seeking views on such principles and methods that we intend to follow in preparing our report.
In 2025, we will consult on our actual recommendations on the designation of TV platforms, before submitting our final report to the Secretary of State.
Local commercial radio licence renewals
We are also consulting on new provisions introduced by the Media Act for local commercial radio licence renewals.
The changes offer a new route for all licence holders to apply to have their licences renewed, including those who were previously unable to do. Specifically, this now means that a licensee can apply for renewal if there is not a ‘suitable’ DAB multiplex available.
The consultation sets out how we propose to decide whether a multiplex is ‘suitable’.
We welcome responses to both consultations by 5pm on 5 February 2025.
The Secretary of State of Culture, Media and Sport has made commencement regulations which bring Part 5 of the Media Act 2024 into force, as well as a section of Part 1 to allow for our preparatory work on PSB reform.
Part 5 contains a number of provisions relating to how commercial radio is regulated. Commencement of Part 5 allows us to continue our plans for implementation, including:
- Consulting on new local news and information requirements for analogue commercial radio stations, while retaining current requirements in the meantime.
- Removing requirements from analogue licences relating to music and locally-made programming.
- Consulting on new requirements on DAB multiplex providers to publish information about payments radio stations make for carriage.
- Ending the need for DAB multiplex providers to ask Ofcom for permission to add or remove digital radio stations.