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Broadcasting Act 1990

Type Public General Act
Publication 1990-11-01
Last updated 2026-01-01
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
Source legislation.gov.uk
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
726

Word in Sch. 6 heading substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(2); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

730

Words in s. 24(3) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(a), Sch. 2 para. 2; S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(v)

733

Words in s. 56(1) omitted (23.8.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 3(2); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

734

S. 56(2) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 33(2), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(k)

735

Word in s. 56(3) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 3(3); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

736

S. 58(1)-(1C) substituted for s. 58(1)(1A) (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 35(2), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(m)

737

Word in s. 58(5) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 35(4)(a), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(m)

738

Words in s. 58(5) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 35(4)(b), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(m)

739

S. 58(2)-(4) omitted (23.8.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 35(3), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(m)

745

Word in s. 61 heading substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5(4); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

746

Word in s. 61(1) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5(2)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

747

Word in s. 61(1) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5(2)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

748

Word in s. 61(3) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

749

Word in s. 61(3) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

750

Word in s. 61A heading substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(5); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

751

Word in s. 61A(2) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(2)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

752

Word in s. 61A(2) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(2)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

753

Word in s. 61A(4) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

761

Word in s. 64 heading substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 8(5); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

780

Word in Sch. 2 Pt. 2 para. 3(1)(a) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 15; S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

781

Words in Sch. 2 Pt. 2 para. 2(1B) omitted (23.8.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(a), Sch. 2 para. 5(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(v)

782

Sch. 2 Pt. 2 para. 2(1A)(d) omitted (23.8.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(a), Sch. 2 para. 5(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(v)

783

Sch. 3 para. 13(1A) inserted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 29(3), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(i)

784

Word in Sch. 6 para. 1(2) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(4); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

785

Word in Sch. 6 para. 1(1) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(3); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

791

Sch. 6 para. 12(2A)-(2F) substituted for Sch. 6 para. 12(2)(3) (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 34(2), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(l)

792

Sch. 6 para. 12(5)(6) inserted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 34(3), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(l)

793

Word in Sch. 6 para. 12(1A) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(6)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

794

Word in Sch. 6 para. 12(1) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(6)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

795

Word in Sch. 6 para. 12(4) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(6)(b); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

796

Word in Sch. 6 para. 12(4) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 16(6)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

803

Word in Sch. 2 Pt. 2 para. 5(b) substituted (23.8.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 15; S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(x)

804

Sch. 2 power to amend or modify conferred (17.10.2024) by 2003 c. 21, s. 245(3A)-(3C) (as inserted by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 46(3), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(f))

805

Words in s. 85(1) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(2)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

806

S. 85(2) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(2)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

807

S. 85(5)-(7) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(2)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

808

S. 97B(5) inserted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(3), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

809

Word in s. 98(1)(b)(ii) inserted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(4)(a)(i), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

810

S. 98(1)(b)(iii) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(4)(a)(ii), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

811

S. 98(1)(b)(iv) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(4)(a)(ii), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

812

S. 98(3)(a) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(4)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

813

Word in s. 98(4) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(4)(c), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

814

Word in s. 98(6)(b) substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(4)(d), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

815

S. 99(1)(a) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(5)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

816

Words in s. 99(1)(b) substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(5)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

817

Word in s. 99(2) substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(5)(c), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

818

S. 100(9)(b) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(6)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

819

S. 100(10)(a) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(6)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

820

S. 103(3) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(7)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

821

S. 103(4) substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(7)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

822

Word in s. 103A(9) inserted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(8)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

823

S. 103A(9)(d) and word omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(8)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

824

S. 104 substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 42(2), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5(1))

825

S. 104AA(4ZA)-(4ZC) inserted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 42(3)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5(1))

826

Words in s. 104AA(3) substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 42(3)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5(1))

827

S. 104B omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 42(4), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5(1))

828

S. 105 omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 42(4), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5(1))

829

Words in s. 106(1) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 43(2)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 5(1))

830

S. 106(1B) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 43(2)(c), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 5(1))

831

S. 106(7) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 43(2)(d), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 5(1))

832

S. 106(1A)(b)-(e) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 43(2)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 5(1))

833

S. 106ZA omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 43(3), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 5(1))

834

S. 111(4) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(9)(a), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

835

Word in s. 111(6) omitted (17.10.2024) by virtue of Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(9)(b), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

836

Words in s. 117(4)(b) substituted (17.10.2024) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 41(10), 55(3)(e); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 3(a)

837

Act: power to amend conferred (24.5.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), ss. 138(2)-(7), 339(2)(c); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(2) (with Sch. para. 10, 20)

840

S. 18A inserted (17.10.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 19(3), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 2; S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(q)

841

Words in s. 18(3D) substituted (17.10.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 19(2), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 2; S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(q)

842

S. 41(1C) substituted (17.10.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 19(4), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 2; S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(q)

843

S. 18A applied (with modifications) (17.10.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by 2003 c. 21, Sch. 9 para. 8(7) (as substituted by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 19(6), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 2; S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(q))

844

Words in s. 61(1) substituted (1.1.2026) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5(2)(c); S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(v)

845

Words in s. 61A(4) substituted (1.1.2026) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(3)(b); S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(v)

846

Words in s. 61A(4) substituted (1.1.2026) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(3)(c); S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(v)

848

Words in s. 61A(2) substituted (1.1.2026) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(2)(c); S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(v)

849

Words in s. 61A(4) substituted (1.1.2026) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), s. 55(3)(c), Sch. 4 para. 6(3)(d); S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(v)

850

Sch. 6 para. 1(3) substituted (1.1.2026) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 32(4), 55(3)(b); S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(r)

851

Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 1(5) inserted (17.10.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 19(5), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/1033, reg. 2; S.I. 2025/1049, reg. 3(q)

Licensing etc. of satellite television services.

Applications for additional services licences.

General licence conditions.

Inclusion in programme services in Northern Ireland of material likely to stir up hatred etc.

Duty to provide advance information about programmes.

Transfer to BBC of functions connected with television licences.

Inclusion in programme services in Northern Ireland of material likely to stir up hatred etc.

Entry and search of premises.

1
  • (1) In this Part of this Schedule “relevant services”means any such services as are mentioned in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) and, for the purposes of this Part, relevant services shall (subject to paragraph 9) be divided into the sixteen categories specified in those sub-paragraphs.
  • (2) In the case of services licensed by the Commission, the categories are—
  • (a) regional and national Channel 3 services and Channel 5;
  • (b) restricted services (within the meaning of Part I of this Act);
  • (d) satellite television services
  • (e) licensable programme services;
  • (f) additional services (within the meaning of Part I of this Act);
  • (g) television multiplex services;
  • (h) digital programme services; and
  • (i) digital additional services (within the meaning of Part I of the 1996 Act).
  • (3) In the case of services licensed by the Authority, the categories are—
  • (a) national radio services;
  • (b) local radio services;
  • (c) satellite radio services;
  • (d) licensable sound programme services;
  • (e) additional services (within the meaning of Part III of this Act);
  • (f) national or local radio multiplex services;
  • (g) national or local digital sound programme services; and
  • (h) digital additional services (within the meaning of Part II of the 1996 Act)..
  • (4) References in this Part to national, local, restricted or satellite radio services are references to national, local, restricted or satellite services within the meaning of Part III of this Act.

General limit on the holding of licences to provide television services or interests in bodies corporate holding such licences

2
  • (1) No one person may, at any time when his audience time in respect of the period of twelve months ending with the last day of the preceding calendar month exceeds 15 per cent. of total audience time in respect of that period—
  • (a) hold two or more licences to provide relevant services falling within one or more of the categories specified in paragraph 1(2)(a), (d), (e) or (h),
  • (b) be a participant with a qualifying interest in two or more bodies corporate each of which holds a licence, or two or more licences, to provide services falling within one or more of those categories,
  • (c) hold any licence to provide a relevant service falling within any of those categories and be a participant with a qualifying interest in any body corporate which holds such a licence or two or more such licences,
  • (d) provide a foreign satellite service and either hold any licence to provide a relevant service falling within any of those categories or be a participant with a qualifying interest in a body corporate which holds such a licence or two or more such licences, or
  • (e) hold a licence to provide relevant services falling within the category specified in paragraph 1(2)(h) and provide two or more such services.
  • (2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) a person’s audience time at any time (“the relevant time”) in respect of any period is the aggregate of—
  • (a) the audience time attributable in respect of that period to each relevant service falling within any of the categories specified in paragraph 1(2)(a), (d) or (e) provided under a licence held by him at the relevant time,
  • (aa) the audience time attributable in respect of that period to any relevant service falling within paragraph 1(2)(h) which is provided by him by means of a television multiplex service licensed under Part I of the Broadcasting Act 1996,; and
  • (b) one half of the audience time attributable in respect of that period to any relevant service falling within any of the categories specified in paragraph 1(2)(a), (d) or (e) provided under a licence held by a body corporate which he does not control, but in which he is at the relevant time a participant with a qualifying interest,
  • (bb) one half of the audience time attributable in respect of that period to any relevant service falling within paragraph 1(2)(h) which is provided—
  • (i) by means of a television multiplex service licensed under Part I of the Broadcasting Act 1996, and
  • (ii) by a body corporate which he does not control, but in which he is at any relevant time a participant with a qualifying interest,
  • (c) the audience time attributable in respect of that period to any foreign satellite service provided by him at the relevant time.
  • (3) In this paragraph “foreign satellite service” means any service (other than a satellite television service) which consists in the transmission of television programmes by satellite, is provided on a frequency other than one allocated to the United Kingdom for broadcasting by satellite and either—
  • (a) appears to the Commission to be intended for general reception in the United Kingdom (whether or not it appears to them to be also intended for general reception elsewhere), or
  • (b) is (to any extent) relayed by a local delivery service.
  • (4) References in this paragraph—
  • (a) to the audience time attributable to any service in respect of any period, or
  • (b) to total audience time in respect of any period,

shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 3.

  • (5) In this paragraph ”qualifying interest” means an interest of more than 20 per cent.
  • (6) The Secretary of State may by order amend sub-paragraph (5)—
  • (a) by substituting a different percentage for any percentage for the time being specified there, and

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