Broadcasting Act 1990

Type Public General Act
Publication 1990-11-01
Last updated 2026-01-01
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (a) in sub-paragraph (1), for the words from “or teletext” onwards substitute “ included, or made for inclusion, in a programme service. ”; and
  • (b) for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

(2) In this paragraph— (a) “programme”, in relation to a programme service, includes an advertisement and any other item included in that service; and (b) “programme service” has the same meaning as in the Broadcasting Act 1990.

Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/594 (N.I.3))

46

In Article 2(2) (interpretation), in the definition of “newspaper”, for the words from “cable programme” onwards substitute “ programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990) other than a sound or television broadcasting service; ”.

Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c. 38)

47

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Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43)

48

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Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I.1987/2049 (N.I.20))

49

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50

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Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/915)

51
  • (1) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—
  • (a) omit the definitions of “broadcast advertisement”, “Cable Authority”, “IBA” and “licensable service”;
  • (b) before the definition of “court” insert—

the Commission” means the Independent Television Commission

;

  • (c) for the definition of “licensed service” insert—

licensed service” means— (a) in relation to a complaint made to the Commission, a service in respect of which the Commission have granted a licence under Part I or II of the Broadcasting Act 1990; and (b) in relation to a complaint made to the Radio Authority, a service in respect of which the Radio Authority have granted a licence under Part III of that Act; and “licensed local delivery service” means a service in respect of which the Commission have granted a licence under Part II of that Act;

; and

  • (d) after the definition of “publication” insert—

relevant body” means the Commission or the Radio Authority; “on S4C” has the same meaning as in Part I of the Broadcasting Act 1990; “the Welsh Authority” has the same meaning as in that Act;

.

  • (2) In regulation 4(2) (exceptions to complaints to be considered by Director General of Fair Trading), for “the IBA or the Cable Authority” substitute “ the Commission, the Radio Authority or the Welsh Authority ”.
  • (3) For regulations 8 to 11 substitute—

(8) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, it shall be the duty of a relevant body to consider any complaint made to it that any advertisement included or proposed to be included in a licensed service is misleading, unless the complaint appears to the body to be frivolous or vexatious. (2) The Commission shall not consider any complaint about an advertisement included or proposed to be included in a licensed local delivery service by the reception and immediate re-transmission of broadcasts made by the British Broadcasting Corporation. (3) A relevant body shall give reasons for its decisions. (4) In exercising the powers conferred on it by these Regulations a relevant body shall have regard to all the interests involved and in particular the public interest. (9) (1) If, having considered a complaint about an advertisement pursuant to regulation 8(1) above, it considers that the advertisement is misleading, a relevant body may, if it thinks it appropriate to do so, exercise in relation to the advertisement the power conferred on it— (a) where the relevant body is the Commission, by section 9(6) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (power of Commission to give directions about advertisements), or (b) where the relevant body is the Radio Authority, by section 93(6) of that Act (power of Radio Authority to give directions about advertisements). (2) A relevant body may require any person appearing to it to be responsible for an advertisement which the body believes may be misleading to furnish it with evidence as to the accuracy of any factual claim made in the advertisement. In deciding whether or not to make such a requirement the body shall have regard to the legitimate interests of any person who would be the subject of or affected by the requirement. (3) If such evidence is not furnished to it following a requirement made by it under paragraph (2) above or if it considers such evidence inadequate, a relevant body may consider the factual claim inaccurate. (10) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, it shall be the duty of the Welsh Authority to consider any complaint made to them that any advertisement broadcast or proposed to be broadcast on S4C is misleading, unless the complaint appears to the Authority to be frivolous or vexatious. (2) The Welsh Authority shall not consider any complaint about an advertisement broadcast or proposed to be broadcast on S4C by the reception and immediate re-transmission of broadcasts made by the British Broadcasting Corporation. (3) The Welsh Authority shall give reasons for their decisions. (4) In exercising the powers conferred on them by these Regulations the Welsh Authority shall have regard to all the interests involved and in particular the public interest. (11) (1) If, having considered a complaint about an advertisement pursuant to regulation 10(1) above, they consider that the advertisement is misleading, the Welsh Authority may, if they think it appropriate to do so, refuse to broadcast the advertisement. (2) The Welsh Authority may require any person appearing to them to be responsible for an advertisement which the Authority believe may be misleading to furnish them with evidence as to the accuracy of any factual claim made in the advertisement. In deciding whether or not to make such a requirement the Authority shall have regard to the legitimate interests of any person who would be the subject of or affected by the requirement. (3) If such evidence is not furnished to them following a requirement made by them under paragraph (2) above or if they consider such evidence inadequate, the Welsh Authority may consider the factual claim inaccurate.

Criminal Justice (Serious Fraud) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (S.I.1988/1846 (N.I.16))

52

In Article 10 (restrictions on reporting applications for dismissal and preparatory hearings)—

  • (a) in paragraph (1), for “broadcast or include in a cable programme” substitute “ include in a relevant programme for reception ”;
  • (b) in paragraphs (5), (9) and (13), for “, broadcast or included in a cable programme” substitute “ or included in a relevant programme ”;
  • (c) in paragraphs (6) and (8), for “, broadcast or include in a cable programme” substitute “ or include in a relevant programme ”;
  • (d) in paragraph (12), for “broadcast or included in a cable programme” substitute “ included in a relevant programme ” and for “, broadcast or inclusion in a cable programme” substitute “ or inclusion in a relevant programme ”;
  • (e) in paragraph (13), for sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) substitute—

(c) in the case of the inclusion of a report in a relevant programme, any body corporate which is engaged in providing the service in which the programme is included and any person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor of a newspaper,

; and

  • (f) in paragraph (16), omit the definitions of “broadcast” and “cable programme” and after the definition of “publish” insert—

relevant programme” means a programme included in a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990).

Children Act 1989 (c. 41)

53

In section 97(5) (privacy for children involved in certain proceedings), for paragraph (a) of the definition of “publish” substitute—

(a) include in a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990);

.

Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I.19))

54

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SCHEDULE 21

SCHEDULE 22

Preservation of appointments of existing members of the Welsh Authority, the BCC and the BSC

1

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Power to make provision with respect to complaints to the BCC or BSC

2

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Power to make provision with respect to complaints under the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988

3

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Saving of amendments made by Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984

4

The amendments made by paragraphs 12, . . ., 32 ... of Schedule 5 to the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 shall not be affected by the repeals made by this Act but shall continue to have effect, subject to any amendments made by Schedule 20 to this Act.

Transitional modification of amendments made by this Act

5

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6

Section 92(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by this Act), shall have effect as if—

  • (a) the reference to the holder of a licence granted by the Independent Television Commission or the Radio Authority included a reference to the holder of a relevant licence within the meaning of Part III of Schedule 12 to this Act; and
  • (b) there were added at the end

or in pursuance of arrangements made with— (i) the Independent Television Commission or the Radio Authority, or (ii) any programme contractor whose contract continues in force by virtue of Part II or IV of Schedule 11 to the Broadcasting Act 1990, for the matter to be received by that body or contractor and re-transmitted by that body in the provision of any broadcasting service in accordance with the said Schedule 11.

7

Regulation 8(1) and (2) of the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 (as amended by this Act) shall apply to any service provided under a relevant licence within the meaning of Part III of Schedule 12 to this Act as they apply to a service licensed under Part II of this Act.

Award of Channel 3 licence subject to conditions.

17A
  • (1) OFCOM may, when awarding a Channel 3 licence to any person, make the grant of the licence to him conditional on his compliance before the grant with such specified requirements relating to the financing of the service as appear to them to be appropriate, having regard to—
  • (a) any duties which are or may be imposed on them, or on the licence holder, by or under this Act, and
  • (b) any information provided to them under section 15(3)(g) by the person to whom the licence is awarded as to his projected financial position during the period for which the licence would be in force.
  • (2) Where OFCOM determine that any condition imposed by them in relation to a Channel 3 licence in pursuance of subsection (1) has not been satisfied, section 17 shall (subject to subsection (3)) have effect as if the person to whom the licence was awarded had not made an application for it.
  • (3) Section 17 shall not so have effect if OFCOM decide that it would be desirable to publish a fresh notice under section 15(1) in respect of the grant of the licence.
21A

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31A

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Chapter IIA — Restricted services

Licensing etc. of restricted services.

42A

In this Part “restricted service” means a service (or a dissociable section of a service) which consists in the broadcasting of television programmes for a particular establishment or other defined location, or a particular event, in the United Kingdom.

42B
  • (1) An application for a licence to provide a restricted service shall be made in such manner as OFCOM may determine, and shall be accompanied by such fee (if any) as OFCOM may determine.
  • (2) Subject to subsections (3) to (3C), sections 40 to 42 shall apply in relation to such a licence as they apply in relation to a licence to provide a Channel 3 service.
  • (3) In its application to a licence to provide a restricted service, section 41 shall have effect with the omission of subsections (1A) to (1C); and the maximum amount which the holder of such a licence may be required to pay by way of a financial penalty imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) of that section is the maximum penalty given by subsection (3A).
  • (3A) The maximum penalty is whichever is the greater of—
  • (a) £250,000; and
  • (b) 5 per cent. of the qualifying revenue for the licence holder’s last complete accounting period falling within the period for which his licence has been in force (“the relevant period”).
  • (3B) In relation to a person whose first complete accounting period falling within the relevant period has not ended when the penalty is imposed, subsection (3A)(b) is to be construed as referring to 5 per cent. of the amount which OFCOM estimate to be the qualifying revenue for that accounting period.
  • (3C) Section 19(2) to (6) applies for determining or estimating qualifying revenue for the purposes of subsection (3A) or (3B) above.
45A

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61A
  • (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (2) All amounts received by S4C under section 61 ... shall be kept by S4C in a separate fund (in this section referred to as “the public service fund”) which may be applied only for the purposes of fulfilling S4C’s public service remit.
  • (3) No S4C company shall receive any direct or indirect subsidy from the public service fund.
  • (4) S4C shall secure that no audiovisual content which has been wholly or partly financed out of the public service fund is included in a relevant audiovisual service provided by an S4C company before it is first included in a relevant audiovisual service provided by S4C in fulfilling its public service remit.
  • (4A) In subsection (4), “audiovisual content” and “relevant audiovisual service” have the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Communications Act 2003 (see section 362 of that Act).
  • (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66A
  • (1) Where OFCOM —
  • (a) give a direction to a BBC company under section 40(1),
  • (b) serve a notice on a BBC company under any provision of section 41 or 42, or
  • (c) receive any written representations from a BBC company under section 40(2), 41(3) or 42(8),

OFCOM shall send a copy of the direction, notice or representations to the Secretary of State.

  • (2) References in subsection (1) to any of the provisions of sections 40 to 42 are references to that provision as applied—
  • (a) by section 42B(2), in relation to a licence to provide a restricted service,
  • (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (e) by section 55(4), in relation to an additional services licence.

Licensing etc. of licensable programme services.

76A

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78A

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Enforcement of licences held by BBC companies.

General requirements as to licensed services.

103A
  • (1) A national licence may (subject to the following provisions of this section) be renewed under this section on one occasion for a period of twelve years beginning with the date of renewal.
  • (2) An application for the renewal of a national licence under subsection (1) may be made by the licence holder not earlier than three years before the date on which it would otherwise cease to be in force and not later than the day falling three months before the relevant date.
  • (3) Where any such application is made ...—
  • (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (b) ..., OFCOM may postpone the consideration of the application for so long as they think appropriate having regard to subsection (8).
  • (4) Where an application for the renewal of a national licence has been duly made to OFCOM , they shall (subject to subsection (5)) grant the application if, but only if—
  • (a) OFCOM are satisfied that the applicant would, if his licence were renewed, provide a national service which complied with the conditions included in the licence in pursuance of section 106 (whether as originally imposed or as varied under that section),
  • (b) the applicant gave notice to OFCOM, within the period of one month beginning with the commencement of section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 1996, of his intention to provide a simulcast radio service, and
  • (c) a simulcast radio service provided by the applicant is being broadcast in digital form or OFCOM are satisfied that by the relevant date the applicant has done all that it would in the circumstances be reasonable to expect him to do by that date to procure the broadcasting of such a service within such time as OFCOM consider reasonable.
  • (5) Section 100(4) to (6) shall apply in relation to an applicant for the renewal of a national licence as those provisions apply in relation to such an applicant as is mentioned in section 100(4), but as if any reference to the awarding of such a licence to the applicant were a reference to the renewal of the applicant’s licence under this section.
  • (6) On the grant of any application under this section OFCOM —
  • (a) may, in a case where a simulcast radio service provided by the applicant is not yet being broadcast in digital form on the relevant date, determine a date by which the broadcasting of such a service in that form must begin;
  • (b) shall determine an amount which is to be payable to OFCOM by the applicant in respect of the first complete calendar year falling within the period for which the licence is to be renewed; and
  • (c) may specify a different percentage from that specified under section 98(1)(d)(ii) as the percentage of qualifying revenue for each accounting period of his that will be payable by the applicant in pursuance of section 102(1)(c) during the period for which the licence is to be renewed.
  • (7) The amount determined under subsection (6)(b) must be equal to the amount which, in OFCOM’s opinion, would have been the cash bid of the licence holder were the licence (instead of being renewed) to be granted for the period of the renewal on an application made in accordance with section 98.
  • (7A) For the purposes of subsection (6)(c)—
  • (a) different percentages may be specified for different accounting periods; and
  • (b) the percentages that may be specified for an accounting period include a nil percentage.
  • (8) Where OFCOM have granted a person’s application under this section they shall formally renew his licence not later than the relevant date or, if that is not reasonably practicable ..., as soon after that date as is reasonably practicable; and they shall not so renew his licence unless they have notified him of—
  • (a) any date determined by them under subsection (6)(a),
  • (b) the amount determined by them under subsection (6)(b), and
  • (c) any percentage specified by them under subsection (6)(c),

and he has, within such period as is specified in that notification, notified them that he consents to the licence being renewed on those terms.

  • (9) Where a national licence has been renewed under this section—
  • (a) any conditions included in it in pursuance of section 102 shall have effect during the period for which the licence has been renewed—
  • (i) as if the amount determined by OFCOM under subsection (6)(b) were an amount specified in a cash bid submitted by the licence holder, and
  • (ii) subject to any determination made under subsection (6)(c);
  • (b) (subject to paragraph (a)) that section shall have effect in relation to the period for which the licence has been renewed as it has effect in relation to the period for which a national licence is originally in force; and
  • (c) where OFCOM have determined a date under subsection (6)(a), they shall include in the licence as renewed a condition requiring a simulcast radio service to be broadcast in digital form throughout the period beginning with the date determined under subsection (6)(a) and ending with the date on which the licence (as renewed) is to expire; ...
  • (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (10A) In the case of a pre-transfer national licence (including one for a period extended under section 253 of the Communications Act 2003)—
  • (a) the licence is not to be capable of being renewed under this section if it has already been renewed under this section before the radio transfer date; and
  • (b) on the renewal of the licence, it shall be the duty of OFCOM to secure that the renewed licence contains only such provision as would be included in a national licence granted by OFCOM under this Part after the radio transfer date.
  • (11) In this section—
  • ...
  • the relevant date”, in relation to a national licence, means the date which OFCOM determine to be that by which they would need to publish a notice under section 98(1) if they were to grant, as from the date on which that licence would expire if not renewed, a fresh licence to provide the national service formerly provided under that licence.
  • (12) A determination for the purposes of subsection (11)—
  • (a) must be made at least one year before the date determined; and
  • (b) must be notified by OFCOM to the person who holds the licence in question.
104A
  • (1) A local licence may (subject to the following provisions of this section) be renewed under this section on one occasion for a period of twelve years beginning with the date of renewal.
  • (1A) A local licence may be renewed under this section only if it is granted before the day on which section 104AA comes into force.
  • (2) No application for the renewal of a local licence under subsection (1) may be made before OFCOM first publish a notice pursuant to section 50(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 inviting applications for a licence to provide a relevant local radio multiplex service.
  • (3) Subject to subsection (2), an application for the renewal of a local licence under subsection (1) may be made by the licence holder not earlier than three years before the date on which it would otherwise cease to be in force and not later than the day falling three months before the relevant date.
  • (4) The applicant must, in his application or at any time before the consideration of his application, nominate—
  • (a) a local digital sound programme service provided or to be provided by him, and
  • (b) a relevant local radio multiplex service or a relevant small-scale radio multiplex service,

but may not nominate together a local digital sound programme service and a local radio multiplex service or a local digital sound programme service and a small-scale radio multiplex service if another local licence held by him includes a condition in pursuance of subsection (12) relating to the broadcasting of that local digital sound programme service by that local radio multiplex service or (as the case may be) that small-scale radio multiplex service.

  • (5) Where an application for the renewal of a local licence has been duly made to OFCOM, they shall grant the application if—
  • (a) they are satisfied that the applicant would, if his licence were renewed, provide a local service which complied with the conditions included in the licence in pursuance of section 106 (whether as originally imposed or as varied under that section), ...
  • (b) the nominated local digital sound programme service provided by the applicant is being broadcast by means of the nominated local radio multiplex service or the nominated small-scale radio multiplex service.
  • (c) they are satisfied that the period for which the nominated local digital sound programme service will be available for reception and the times at which it will be available will not be significantly different, week by week, from those for which and at which the licensed local service will be broadcast;
  • (6) Where the condition specified in subsection (5)(a) is satisfied, OFCOM may grant the application even though the condition specified in subsection (5)(b) is not satisfied if—
  • (a) the applicant holds a licence to provide local digital sound programme services,
  • (b) a licence to provide the nominated local radio multiplex service or the nominated small-scale radio multiplex service has been awarded, and
  • (c) it appears to OFCOM that, under a contract between the applicant and the person to whom that licence has been awarded, the applicant is obliged to provide the nominated local digital sound programme service for broadcasting by means of the nominated local radio multiplex service or the nominated small-scale radio multiplex service.
  • (7) OFCOM may in any case postpone consideration of the application until the relevant date.
  • (8) If, at the relevant date, the condition specified in subsection (5)(b) is not satisfied, and any of the conditions specified in subsection (6) is not satisfied, OFCOM may postpone consideration of the application for such period not exceeding twelve months as they think appropriate.
  • (9) Where OFCOM postpone consideration of an application under this section for any period beyond the relevant date (the “postponement period”), they shall extend the period for which the licence is in force by a period equal to the postponement period; and section 86(3) shall not limit the powers of OFCOM under this subsection.
  • (10) On the grant of any application under this section OFCOM shall—
  • (a) where the nominated local digital sound programme service provided by the applicant is not being broadcast by means of the nominated local radio multiplex service or the nominated small-scale radio multiplex service, determine a date by which that service must have begun to be so broadcast; and
  • (b) specify a fee payable to OFCOM in respect of the renewal.
  • (11) Where OFCOM have granted a person’s application under this section they shall formally renew his licence as soon afterwards as is reasonably practicable; and they shall not so renew his licence unless they have notified him of—
  • (a) any date determined by them under subsection (10)(a), and
  • (b) the renewal fee specified by them under subsection (10)(b),

and he has, within such period as is specified in that notification, notified them that he consents to the licence being renewed on those terms.

  • (12) Where OFCOM renew a licence under this section they shall include in the licence as renewed a condition requiring the licence holder to do all that he can to ensure that the nominated local digital sound programme service is broadcast by means of the nominated local radio multiplex service or the nominated small-scale radio multiplex service throughout the period beginning with whichever is the later of—
  • (a) the date on which the licence would expire if not renewed, and
  • (b) any date determined by them under subsection (10)(a),

and ending with the date on which the licence (as renewed) is to expire.

  • (12A) In the case of a pre-transfer local licence (including one for a period extended under section 253 of the Communications Act 2003)—
  • (a) the licence is not to be capable of being renewed under this section if it has already been renewed under this section before the radio transfer date; and
  • (b) on the renewal of the licence, it shall be the duty of OFCOM to secure that the renewed licence contains only such provision as would be included in a local licence granted by OFCOM under this Part after the radio transfer date.
  • (13) In this section—
  • (a) “local digital sound programme service” has the same meaning as in Part II of the Broadcasting Act 1996;
  • (b) “nominated” means nominated by the applicant under subsection (4);
  • (c) “relevant date”, in relation to a local licence, means the date which OFCOM determine to be that by which they would need to publish a notice under section 104(1) if they were to grant, as from the date on which that licence would expire if not renewed, a fresh licence to provide the local service formerly provided under that licence; ...
  • (d) “relevant local radio multiplex service”, in relation to a local licence, means a local radio multiplex service (within the meaning of Part II of the Broadcasting Act 1996) with a coverage area which to a significant extent includes the coverage area of the local service provided under the local licence; and for this purpose the coverage area for a local service or local radio multiplex service is the area determined by OFCOM to be the area in the United Kingdom within which the service is capable of being received at a level satisfying such technical standards as may have been laid down by them for the purposes of this paragraph; and
  • (e) “relevant small-scale radio multiplex service”, in relation to a local licence, means a small-scale radio multiplex service (within the meaning of section 258A of the Communications Act 2003) with a coverage area which to a significant extent includes the coverage area of the local service provided under the local licence; and for this purpose the coverage area for a local service or small-scale radio multiplex service is the area determined by OFCOM to be the area in the United Kingdom within which the service is capable of being received at a level satisfying such technical standards as may have been laid down by them for the purposes of this paragraph.
  • (14) A determination for the purposes of subsection (13)(c)—
  • (a) must be made at least one year before the date determined; and
  • (b) must be notified by OFCOM to the person who holds the licence in question.
104B

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106A

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111A

Where OFCOM —

  • (a) serve a notice on a BBC company under any provision of section 109, 110 or 111, or
  • (b) receive any written representations from a BBC company under section 109(4), 110(4) or 111(8),

OFCOM shall send a copy of the direction, notice or representations to the Secretary of State.

111B
  • (1) OFCOM must serve a notice under subsection (2) on the holder of a licence granted under this Chapter if they are satisfied that—
  • (a) the licence holder has included in the licensed service one or more programmes containing material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder,
  • (b) in doing so the licence holder has failed to comply with a condition included in the licence in compliance with section 263 of the Communications Act 2003, and
  • (c) the failure would justify the revocation of the licence.
  • (2) A notice under this subsection must—
  • (a) state that OFCOM are satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1),
  • (b) specify the respects in which, in their opinion, the licence holder has failed to comply with the condition mentioned there,
  • (c) state that OFCOM may revoke the licence after the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice is served on the licence holder, and
  • (d) inform the licence holder of the right to make representations to OFCOM in that period about the matters that appear to OFCOM to provide grounds for revoking the licence.
  • (3) The effect of a notice under subsection (2) is to suspend the licence from the time when the notice is served on the licence holder until either—
  • (a) the revocation of the licence takes effect, or
  • (b) OFCOM decide not to revoke the licence.
  • (4) If, after considering any representations made to them by the licence holder in the 21 day period mentioned in subsection (2)(c), OFCOM are satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest to revoke the licence, they must serve on the licence holder a notice revoking the licence.
  • (5) The revocation of a licence by a notice under subsection (4) takes effect from whatever time is specified in the notice.
  • (6) That time must not be earlier than the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice under subsection (4) is served on the licence holder.
  • (7) Section 111 does not apply to the revocation of a licence under this section.

Requirements as to character and coverage of national and local services.

Defamatory material.

Power to make copies of recordings.

Application of Part VIII to Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

Application of Part VIII to Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

Modification of networking arrangements in consequence of reports under competition legislation.

194A
  • (1) In this section a “relevant agreement” means an agreement—
  • (a) which is made between all holders of regional Channel 3 licences for securing the appointment by them, in accordance with conditions included in their licences by virtue of section 280 of the Communications Act 2003, of a single body corporate to be the appointed news provider for the purposes of that section, or
  • (b) which is made between them and the body corporate appointed to be the appointed news provider for the purposes of that section for purposes connected with the appointment.
  • (2) If, having sought the advice of the CMA and OFCOM, it appears to the Secretary of State, in relation to some or all of the provisions of a relevant agreement, that the conditions mentioned in subsection (3) are satisfied, he may make a declaration to that effect.
  • (3) The conditions are that—
  • (a) the provisions in question do not have, and are not intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition; or
  • (b) the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition which the provisions in question do have or are intended or are likely to have, is not greater than is necessary—
  • (i) in the case of a relevant agreement falling within subsection (1)(a), for securing the appointment by holders of regional Channel 3 licences of a single body corporate to be the appointed news provider for the purposes of section 280 of the Communications Act 2003, or
  • (ii) in the case of a relevant agreement falling within subsection (1)(b), for compliance by them with conditions included in their licences by virtue of that section of that Act of 2003.
  • (4) If the Secretary of State makes a declaration under this section, the Chapter I prohibition does not apply to the agreement to the extent to which the agreement consists of provisions to which the declaration relates.
  • (5) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that there has been a material change of circumstances, he may—
  • (a) revoke a declaration made under this section, if he considers that the grounds on which it was made no longer exist;
  • (b) vary such a declaration, if he considers that there are grounds for making a different declaration; or
  • (c) make a declaration, even though he has notified the CMA or OFCOM or both of them of his intention not to do so.
  • (6) If the Secretary of State makes, varies or revokes a declaration under this section, he must notify the CMA and OFCOM of his decision.
  • (7) Neither the CMA nor OFCOM may exercise any Chapter III powers in respect of a relevant agreement, unless—
  • (a) the Secretary of State has been notified by the CMA or (as the case may be) by OFCOM of its or their intention to do so; and
  • (b) the Secretary of State—
  • (i) has notified the CMA and OFCOM that he has not made a declaration in respect of the agreement, or provisions of the agreement, under this section and that he does not intend to make such a declaration; or
  • (ii) has revoked a declaration under this section and a period of six months beginning with the date on which the revocation took effect has expired.
  • (8) Where the CMA or OFCOM is or are proposing to exercise any Chapter III powers in respect of a relevant agreement, it or they must give the Secretary of State particulars of the agreement and such other information—
  • (a) it considers or (as the case may be) they consider will assist the Secretary of State to decide whether to exercise his powers under this section; or
  • (b) as the Secretary of State may request.
  • (9) In this section–
  • the Chapter I prohibition” means the prohibition imposed by section 2(1) of the Competition Act 1998;
  • Chapter III powers” means the powers of the CMA and of OFCOM under Chapter III of Part I of that Act so far as they relate to the Chapter I prohibition;
  • CMA” means the Competition and Markets Authority;
  • ...
  • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • regional Channel 3 licence” has the same meaning as in Part I;

and expressions used in this section which are also used in Part I of the Competition Act 1998 are to be interpreted in the same way as for the purposes of that Part of that Act.

  • (10) In this section references to an agreement are to be read as applying equally to, or in relation to, a decision or concerted practice.
  • (11) In the application of this section to decisions and concerted practices, references to provisions of an agreement are to be read as references to elements of a decision or concerted practice.
3A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disqualification of certain companies for certain licences

5A
  • (1) A BBC company, a Channel 4 company or an S4C company is a disqualified person in relation to—
  • (a) any licence ... to provide regional or national Channel 3 services or Channel 5, ...
  • (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (2) A BBC company is also a disqualified person in relation to any licence ... to provide a national, local or restricted service within the meaning of Part III of this Act.
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power to impose additional limits in relation to licences to provide television or radio services

16
  • (1) The Secretary of State may, in the case of—
  • (a) any category of relevant services specified in paragraph 1(2)(b), (d) or (f), or
  • (b) any category of relevant services specified in paragraph 1(3)(c) or (e),

by order prescribe the maximum number of licences which may at any time be held by any one person to provide relevant services falling within that category.

  • (2) The Secretary of State may by order impose, in relation to any category of relevant services specified in paragraph 1(2)(a) or (b) or paragraph 1(3)(a), (b) or (f) or under sub-paragraph (1), limits on the holding of licences to provide relevant services falling within that category which are additional to the limits specified in paragraphs 2 to 15 or under that sub-paragraph and are framed—
  • (a) by reference to any specified circumstances relating to the holders of the licences in question or to the services to be provided under them, or
  • (b) (in the case of licences granted by the Commission) by reference to matters determined by them under the order.
  • (3) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (2), an order made under that sub-paragraph may impose on the holder of a licence to provide any specified category of relevant services specified in paragraph 1(3) limits framed (directly or indirectly) by reference to either or both of the following matters, namely—
  • (a) the number of licences of any one or more specified descriptions which are held by him or by any body controlled by him; and
  • (b) his participation, to any specified extent, in any body corporate which is the holder of any licence or licences of any one or more such descriptions.
  • (4) Where a person holds—
  • (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (b) a licence to provide a satellite television service, or
  • (c) a licence to provide a satellite radio service,

which, in accordance with section . . ., 45(3) or 86(2), authorises the provision of a multichannel service, he shall be treated for the purposes of any order under sub-paragraph (1) as holding such number of licences to provide satellite television services or (as the case may be) satellite radio services as corresponds to the number of channels on which the service may be provided.

  • (5) In sub-paragraph (4)—
  • (a) “multichannel service” means a service which to any extent consists in the simultaneous transmission of different programmes on different frequencies; and
  • (b) any reference to the number of channels on which such a service may be provided is a reference to the number of different frequencies involved.
  • (6) Where a person who holds a licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4)(b) or (c)provides that service by broadcasting two or more programmes simultaneously in digital form on a single frequency, he shall be treated for the purposes of any order under sub-paragraph (1) as holding such number of licences as corresponds to the number of programmes that are simultaneously transmitted.

Connected persons

17
  • (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), for the purposes of—
  • (a) paragraphs 2 to 15, and
  • (b) any order under paragraph 13 or 16(1) or (2),

a person shall be treated as holding a licence if the licence is held by a person connected with him and shall be treated as providing a service if the service is provided by a person connected with him.

  • (2) For the purposes of paragraph 12 and any order under paragraph 13, a person shall not be treated as holding a licence to provide a local radio service merely because he is a director of a body corporate which holds the licence.
  • (3) Any provision of paragraphs 2 to 14 which refers to a person’s participation in a body corporate shall have effect as if he and every person connected with him were one person.
7
  • (1) Any restriction imposed by or under paragraph 4, 5 or 6 above on participation—
  • (a) in a body corporate which is the holder of a particular kind of licence, or
  • (b) in two or more such bodies,

shall apply equally to participation—

  • (i) in a body corporate which controls the holder of such a licence, or
  • (ii) in two or more bodies corporate each of which controls the holder of such a licence,

as the case may be.

  • (2) Any restriction imposed under paragraph 6(8)(b) above on participation in a body corporate providing such a service as is mentioned in paragraph 6(2)(b) shall apply equally to participation in a body corporate which controls a body providing such a service.
8
  • (1) Any restriction on participation imposed by or under paragraph 4, 5 or 6 above—
  • (a) on the holder of a licence, or
  • (b) on a person providing such a service as is mentioned in paragraph 6(2)(b),

shall apply to him as if he and every person connected with him were one person.

  • (2) For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph 9 below the following persons shall be treated as connected with a person providing such a service as is mentioned in paragraph 6(2)(b), namely—
  • (a) a person who controls that person;
  • (b) an associate of that person or of a person falling within paragraph (a); and
  • (c) a body which is controlled by that person or by an associate of that person.
9
  • (1) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 4 or 6(8) above, an order made in pursuance of that provision may impose restrictions framed by reference to the number of bodies corporate in which the holder of a licence, or any person connected with him, is a participant, and an order made in pursuance of paragraph 6(8)(a)(ii) may impose restrictions framed by reference to the number of bodies corporate in which a person providing such a service as is mentioned in paragraph 6(2)(b), or any person connected with him, is a participant.
  • (2) Paragraph 8(2) above applies for the purposes of this paragraph.
10
  • (1) Where, by virtue of any provision of this Part of this Schedule, any restriction applies in relation to participation in any body or bodies corporate of a particular description, the Secretary of State may by order provide for further restrictions to apply in relation to participation in any such body or bodies corporate, being restrictions which—
  • (a) are imposed on persons to whom the first-mentioned restriction does not apply, and
  • (b) are framed by reference to the number of bodies corporate in which such persons, or persons connected with them, are participants.
  • (2) For the purposes of this paragraph the following persons shall be treated as connected with a particular person, namely—
  • (a) a person who controls that person;
  • (b) an associate of that person or of a person falling within paragraph (a); and
  • (c) a body which is controlled by that person or by an associate of that person.

Meaning of “ relevant authority”

1
  • In this Part of this Schedule “the relevant authority”—in relation to any restriction having effect in relation to any licence which has been or may be granted by the Commission, means the Commission, andin relation to any restriction having effect in relation to any licence which has been or may be granted by the Authority, means the Authority.

National and local newspapers and their respective national and local market shares

2
  • (1) In this Part of this Schedule references to a national or local newspaper are (subject to sub-paragraph (3)) references to a national or local newspaper circulating wholly or mainly in the United Kingdom or in a part of the United Kingdom.
  • (2) Where a newspaper is published in different regional editions on the same day, the relevant authority may determine, having regard to all the circumstances, whether those regional editions are to be treated for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule as constituting one national newspaper, two or more local newspapers or one national newspaper and one or more local newspapers.
  • (3) The relevant authority may determine that a newspaper which would otherwise be neither a national nor a local newspaper for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule shall be treated as a national or (as the case may be) a local newspaper for the purposes of any particular restriction imposed by or under this Part of this Schedule if it appears to them to be appropriate for the newspaper to be so treated having regard to its circulation or influence in the United Kingdom or (as the case may be) in a part of the United Kingdom.
  • (4) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, the “national market share” of any national newspaper at any time in a calendar month is the total number of copies of that newspaper sold in the United Kingdom in the six months ending with the last day of the previous month, expressed as a percentage of the total number of copies of all national newspapers sold in the United Kingdom in those six months.
  • (5) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, the “local market share” of any local newspaper in any area at any time in a calendar month is the total number of copies of that newspaper sold in that area in the six months ending with the last day of the previous month, expressed as a percentage of the total number of copies of all local newspapers sold in that area in those six months.
  • (6) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (4) and (5), the relevant authority may estimate the numbers of copies of any newspaper sold in the United Kingdom, or in any area, during any period in such manner, or by reference to such statistics prepared by any other person, as they think fit.
  • (7) In relation to any newspaper which is distributed free of charge rather than being sold, references in sub-paragraphs (4) to (6) to the number of copies sold shall have effect as references to the number of copies distributed.

Other interpretative provisions

3
  • (1) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule a person runs a national or local newspaper if—
  • (a) he is the proprietor of the newspaper, or.
  • (b) he controls a body which is the proprietor of the newspaper.,
  • (2) Paragraph 1(4) in Part III of this Schedule shall have effect for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule as it has effect for the purposes of Part III.

Restrictions on common control etc.

4
  • (1) No person who runs a national newspaper which for the time being has, or national newspapers which for the time being together have, a national market share of 20 per cent. or more may hold a licence to provide—
  • (a) a regional or national Channel 3 service or Channel 5, or
  • (b) a national or local radio service.
  • (2) A licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service may not be held by a person who runs a local newspaper which for the time being has, or local newspapers which for the time being together have, a local market share of 20 per cent. or more in the coverage area of the service.
  • (3) A licence to provide digital programme services may not be held by a person who runs a local newspaper which for the time being has, or local newspapers which for the time being together have, a local market share of 20 per cent. or more in the coverage area of any digital programme service provided under the licence.
  • (4) For the purposes of this paragraph a person shall be treated as holding a licence if the licence is held by a person connected with him.

Restrictions on participation

5
  • (1) No proprietor of a national newspaper which for the time being has, or of national newspapers which for the time being together have, a national market share of 20 per cent. or more shall be a participant with more than a 20 per cent. interest in a body corporate which is the holder of a licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4).
  • (2) No person who is the holder of a licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4) shall be a participant with more than a 20 per cent. interest in a body corporate which runs a national newspaper which has, or two or more national newspapers which together have, a national market share of 20 per cent. or more..
  • (3) No body corporate in which a person who runs a national newspaper which has, or national newspapers which together have, a national market share of 20 per cent. or more is a participant with more than a 20 per cent. interest, shall be a participant with more than a 20 per cent. interest in a body corporate which holds a licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4).
  • (4) The services referred to in sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) are—
  • (a) a regional or national Channel 3 service or Channel 5, and
  • (b) national or local radio services.
  • (5) The Secretary of State may by order amend sub-paragraph (1), (2) or (3) by substituting a different percentage interest in a body corporate for the percentage for the time being specified there.
  • (6) Any restriction imposed by this paragraph on participation in a body corporate which is the holder of a particular kind of licence shall apply equally to participation in a body corporate which controls the holder of such a licence.
  • (7) Any restriction on participation imposed by this paragraph—
  • (a) on the proprietor of any newspaper, or
  • (b) on the holder of any licence,

shall apply as if he and every person connected with him were one person.

Holding of local radio licence by person running local newspapers with at least 50 per cent local market share

6
  • (1) A licence to provide a local radio service may not be held by a person who runs a local newspaper which has, or local newspapers which for the time being together have, a local market share of 50 per cent. or more in the coverage area of the service unless—
  • (a) the service in question shares a potential audience with another local radio service, but
  • (b) he does not hold any other licence to provide a local radio service whose coverage area is to any extent the same as the coverage area of the service in question.
  • (2) The reference in sub-paragraph (1) to sharing a potential audience shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 12(5) in Part III of this Schedule..
  • (3) For the purposes of this paragraph a person shall be treated as holding a licence if the licence is held by a person connected with him.

Further restrictions on holding of local radio licences by a person who runs a local newspaper

7
  • (1) No person who runs a local newspaper which for the time being has, or local newspapers which for the time being together have, a local market share of 20 per cent. or more in each of the relevant areas may hold any three licences to provide local radio services any of which shares a potential audience with each of the other services.
  • (2) No person who runs a local newspaper which for the time being has, or local newspapers which for the time being together have, a local market share of 20 per cent. or more in both the relevant areas may hold any two licences to provide local radio services which share a potential audience, unless one of the licences is an AM licence and the other is an FM licence.
  • (3) In sub-paragraphs (1) and (2)—
  • (a) “the relevant areas” means the coverage areas of the local radio services in question,
  • (b) references to sharing a potential audience shall be construed in accordance with sub-paragraph (5) of paragraph 12 in Part III of this Schedule, and
  • (c) “AM licence” and “FM licence” have the same meaning as in that paragraph.
  • (4) For the purposes of this paragraph a person shall be treated as holding a licence if the licence is held by a person connected with him.
  • (5) This paragraph has effect subject to paragraph 8.

Power by order to impose different restrictions in place of paragraph 7

8
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by order provide that, where a digital sound programme service is provided in any area, the holding, by a person who runs a local newspaper or local newspapers as mentioned in paragraph 7(1), of two or more licences to provide in that area local radio services which for the purposes of paragraph 7 share a potential audience with each other or with each of the others shall, instead of being subject to the restrictions specified in paragraph 7, be subject to other restrictions specified in the order.
  • (2) For the purposes of any order under sub-paragraph (1), a person shall be treated as holding a licence if the licence is held by a person connected with him.

Additional restrictions applying where control of or by newspaper proprietor may operate against public interest

9
  • (1) A licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4) may not be granted to a body corporate which is, or is connected with, the proprietor of a national or local newspaper if the relevant authority determine that in all the circumstances the holding of the licence by that body corporate could be expected to operate against the public interest.
  • (2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), a body corporate which holds a licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4) shall not become, or become connected with, the proprietor of a national or local newspaper and continue to hold the licence if the relevant authority determine within the permitted period that in all the circumstances the continued holding of the licence by that body corporate operates, or could be expected to operate, against the public interest.
  • (3) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply in any case where the body corporate holding the licence—
  • (a) is already the proprietor of some other national or local newspaper, or is already connected with such a proprietor, and
  • (b) does not become connected with any other person who holds a licence to provide any of the services specified in sub-paragraph (4).
  • (4) The services referred to in sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) are—
  • (a) a national Channel 3 service or Channel 5,
  • (b) a national radio service, and
  • (c) national digital sound programme services.
  • (5) Subject to sub-paragraph (6), in this paragraph “the permitted period” means a period beginning with the day on which the licence holder becomes, or becomes connected with, the proprietor of the national or local newspaper (“the relevant day”) and ending—
  • (a) in a case where the licence holder has, before the relevant day, notified the relevant authority that he will become, or become connected with, the proprietor of that national or local newspaper on that day, at the end of the period of three months beginning with the relevant day, or
  • (b) in any other case, at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the licence holder notifies the relevant authority that he has become, or has become connected with, the proprietor of that national or local newspaper.
  • (6) The relevant authority may in a particular case, after consultation with the licence holder, notify him, before the time when the permitted period would (apart from this sub-paragraph) have ended, that the permitted period in that case is to be calculated as if the references in sub-paragraph (5) to three months were references to such longer period specified in the notification as the relevant authority reasonably consider necessary in the circumstances.
  • (7) Nothing in any of the preceding provisions of this Schedule shall be construed as affecting the operation of this paragraph or paragraph 10 or 11.
10
  • (1) A licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or a local radio service may not be granted to a body corporate which is, or is connected with, the proprietor of a national newspaper or a relevant local newspaper if the relevant authority determine that in all the circumstances the holding of the licence by that body corporate could be expected to operate against the public interest.
  • (2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), a body corporate which holds a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or a local radio service shall not become, or become connected with, the proprietor of a national newspaper and continue to hold the licence if the relevant authority determine within the permitted period that in all the circumstances the continued holding of the licence by that body corporate operates, or could be expected to operate, against the public interest.
  • (3) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply in any case where the body corporate holding the licence—
  • (a) is already the proprietor of some other national newspaper or is already connected with such a proprietor, and
  • (b) does not become connected with—
  • (i) any other person who holds a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or a local radio service, or
  • (ii) any person who holds a licence to provide digital programme services and is providing a service under that licence.
  • (4) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), a body corporate which holds a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or a local radio service shall not become, or become connected with, the proprietor of a relevant local newspaper and continue to hold the licence if the relevant authority determine within the permitted period that in all the circumstances the continued holding of the licence by that body corporate operates, or could be expected to operate, against the public interest.
  • (5) Sub-paragraph (4) does not apply in any case where the body corporate which holds the licence—
  • (a) is already the proprietor of some other local newspaper which is a relevant local newspaper in relation to the service referred to in that sub-paragraph, or is already connected with such a proprietor, and
  • (b) does not become connected with—
  • (i) any other person who holds a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or local radio service in relation to which that other local newspaper is also a relevant local newspaper, or
  • (ii) any person who holds a licence to provide digital programme services and is providing a service under that licence in relation to which that other local newspaper is also a relevant local newspaper.
  • (6) For the purposes of this paragraph a local newspaper is a “relevant local newspaper”, in relation to any service, if it serves an area which is to a significant extent the same as the coverage area of the service..
  • (7) In this paragraph “the permitted period” has the meaning given by paragraph 9(5) and (6).
11
  • (1) A body corporate which holds a licence to provide digital programme services and is, or is connected with, the proprietor of a national newspaper or a relevant local newspaper, shall not begin to provide a digital programme service if the Commission determine before the end of the period specified in sub-paragraph (2) that in all the circumstances the provision of that service by that body corporate could be expected to operate against the public interest.
  • (2) The period referred to in sub-paragraph (1) is the period of three months beginning with the day on which the Commission are notified pursuant to section 19(3) of the 1996 Act of an agreement to provide the digital programme service, or such longer period beginning with that day as the Commission may in a particular case, after consultation with the licence holder, notify him during those three months as being the period which they reasonably consider necessary in the circumstances.
  • (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), a body corporate which is providing a digital programme service shall not become, or become connected with, the proprietor of a national newspaper and continue to provide the service if the Commission determine within the permitted period that in all the circumstances the continued provision of the service by that body corporate operates, or could be expected to operate, against the public interest.
  • (4) Sub-paragraph (3) does not apply in any case where the body corporate which is providing the digital programme service—
  • (a) is already the proprietor of some other national newspaper or is already connected with such a proprietor, and
  • (b) does not become connected with—
  • (i) the holder of a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or a local radio service, or
  • (ii) the holder of another licence to provide digital programme services who is providing a service under that licence.
  • (5) Subject to sub-paragraph (6), a body corporate which is providing a digital programme service shall not become, or become connected with, the proprietor of a relevant local newspaper and continue to provide the service if the Commission determine within the permitted period that in all the circumstances the continued provision of the service by that body corporate operates, or could be expected to operate, against the public interest.
  • (6) Sub-paragraph (5) does not apply in any case where the body corporate which is providing the digital programme service—
  • (a) is already the proprietor of some other local newspaper which is a relevant local newspaper in relation to the service referred to in that sub-paragraph, or is already connected with such a proprietor, and
  • (b) does not become connected with—
  • (i) the holder of a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or local radio service in relation to which that other local newspaper is also a relevant local newspaper, or
  • (ii) the holder of another licence to provide digital programme services who is providing a service under that licence in relation to which that other local newspaper is also a relevant local newspaper.
  • (7) In this paragraph—
  • (a) references to a relevant local newspaper shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 10(6), and
  • (b) “the permitted period” has the meaning given by paragraph 9(5) and (6).
12
  • (1) Notice may be given to the relevant authority in accordance with this paragraph of proposed arrangements which might result—
  • (a) in the application of paragraph 9(2) to a body corporate which holds a licence to provide any of the services specified in paragraph 9(4),
  • (b) in the application of paragraph 10(2) or (4) to a body corporate which holds a licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service or a local radio service, or
  • (c) in the application of paragraph 11(1), (3) or (5) to a body corporate which holds a licence to provide digital programme services.
  • (2) A notice under sub-paragraph (1)—
  • (a) may be given by the licence holder or any other person appearing to the relevant authority to be concerned,
  • (b) shall state that the existence of the proposal has been made public, and
  • (c) shall be in such form as the relevant authority may require.
  • (3) The relevant authority may, at any time before making a determination under this paragraph, require the person who gave the notice to provide them with such further information with respect to the notified arrangements as they think fit.
  • (4) The relevant authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, determine whether in all the circumstances, if the notified arrangements were carried into effect, the continued holding of the licence by the body corporate could be expected to operate against the public interest.
  • (5) If—
  • (a) the relevant authority determine, in relation to any notified arrangements, that the fact referred to in sub-paragraph (4) could not be expected to operate against the public interest, and
  • (b) the notified arrangements are carried into effect within the period of 12 months beginning with the date of the determination,.

the relevant authority may not make any determination under paragraph 9(2), 10(2) or (4) or 11(1), (3) or (5) arising out of the carrying into effect of the notified arrangements.

  • (6) Sub-paragraph (5) does not prevent any determination under paragraph 9(2), 10(2) or (4) or 11(1), (3) or (5) being made if—
  • (a) any information given to the relevant authority in respect of the notified arrangements by the person who gave the notice is in any material respect false or misleading, or
  • (b) since the making of the determination there has been a material change of circumstances (other than such a change of which notice was given to the relevant authority under sub-paragraph (3) before the making of the determination).
  • (7) In this paragraph “the notified arrangements” means the arrangements mentioned in the notice under sub-paragraph (1) or arrangements not differing from them in any material respect.
13
  • (1) The matters to which the relevant authority shall have regard in determining, for the purposes of paragraph 9, 10, 11 or 12, whether the holding of a licence by a body corporate which is, or is connected with, the proprietor of a newspaper operates, or could be expected to operate, against the public interest include—
  • (a) the desirability of promoting—
  • (i) plurality of ownership in the broadcasting and newspaper industries, and
  • (ii) diversity in the sources of information available to the public and in the opinions expressed on television or radio or in newspapers,
  • (b) any economic benefits (such as, for example, technical development or an increase in employment or in the value of goods or services exported) that might be expected to result from the holding of the licence by that body but could not be expected to result from the holding of the licence by a body corporate which was not, and was not connected with, the proprietor of a newspaper, and
  • (c) the effect of the holding of the licence by that body on the proper operation of the market within the broadcasting and newspaper industries or any section of them
  • (2) References in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 to the public interest include references to the public interest within any area of the United Kingdom.
14
  • In relation to any determination under paragraph 11(1), (3) or (5), references in paragraphs 12 and 13 to the holding of the licence shall have effect as references to the provision of the service.

Restricted television services

15
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by order—
  • (a) prescribe restrictions on the holding of one or more licences to provide restricted television services by a person who runs a national or local newspaper, and
  • (b) apply any of the provisions of paragraphs 9 to 13, with such modifications as may be specified in the order, in relation to the holding of a licence to provide a restricted television service.
  • (2) Any order under sub-paragraph (1) may provide that, for the purposes of any provision of the order, a person is to be treated as holding a licence if the licence is held by a person connected with him.
  • (3) In this paragraph “restricted television service” means a restricted service within the meaning of Part I of this act.

The Secretary of State may by order specify categories of licences granted by the Commission or the Authority which may not be held by all or any of the following, namely—

In this paragraph “national public telecommunications operator” means a public telecommunications operator (within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1984) who is authorised to run a telecommunication system for the whole, or substantially the whole, of the United Kingdom.

Further provision about references under paragraph 4

4A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8C

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In this Schedule—

4A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Editorial notes

[^c16544491]: For extent see s. 204(3)-(5)

[^c16544501]: Act: definition of "relevant programme" applied (E.W.) (1.10.1992) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 53(5), Sch. 6 para 6(13); S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch.2

[^c16544511]: By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

[^c16544521]: Act amended (1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 55, s. 124(3); S.I.1997/1005, art. 4

[^c16544531]: Act to be construed with specified provisions of 1996 c. 55 (1.10.1996 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.1997) by virtue of s. 147(2) of that 1996 Act; S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1; S.I. 1997/1005, art. 4

[^c16544551]: Pt I (ss.1-71) applied (1.10.1996) by 1988 c. 48, s.72, as replaced 1996 c. 55, s. 138, Sch. 9 para. 1; S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

[^c16545501]: S. 3(3A) inserted (24.7.1996) by 1996 c. 55, ss. 136, 149(1)(f), Sch. 8 para. 1

[^c16545561]: S. 5(1) modified (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 55. s. 143(1)(2); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2

[^c16545571]: S. 5(1)(a) amended (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 145(7); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2

[^c16545581]: S. 5(2A) inserted (24.7.1996) by 1996 c. 55, ss. 136, 149(1), Sch. 8 para. 2(2)

[^c16545591]: S. 5(6)(6A)(6B) substituted for s. 5(6) (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 73, Sch. 2 Pt. V para. 12(2); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2

[^c16545601]: S. 5(6C)(6D) inserted (24.7.1996) by 1996 c. 55, ss. 136, 149(1), Sch. 8 para. 2(3)

[^c16545621]: S. 5(7)(c) and the word “or”immediately preceding it inserted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 73, Sch. 2 Pt. V para. 12(3)(a); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2

[^c16545631]: Words in s. 5(7) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 73, Sch. 2 Pt. V para. 12(3)(b); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2

[^c16545931]: S. 13 excluded (temp. until 11.10.1997) by S.I. 1997/1682, regs. 1, 4(3)

[^c16545941]: S. 13(1) excluded by S.I. 1990/2537, art. 2(1) S. 13(1) excluded (5.1.1995) by S.I. 1995/3172, art. 2

[^c16545981]: words in s. 13(1) inserted (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 148(1), Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 2(1)(b); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

[^c16545991]: S. 17A inserted (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 86(1); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

[^c16546001]: S. 18(3) modified (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 145(6)(a); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1; S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2

[^c16546511]: 1976 c. 74.

[^c16546521]: S. 39(9A) inserted (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 79(2) (with s. 43(1)(6); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4 Sch. 1

[^c16546531]: S. 39(10) substituted (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 79(3) (with s. 43(1)(6)); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

[^c16546611]: S. 40(1)-(4) applied (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 23(8) (with s. 43(1)(6)); S.I.1996/2120, art. 4, Sch.1 S. 40(1)-(4) applied (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 27(8) (with s. 43(1)(6)); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

[^c16546651]: S. 42 modified (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 4(5)(6) (with s. 43(1)(6)); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

[^c16546661]: S. 42 extended (with modifications) (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 55, s. 17(6) (with s. 43(1)(6)); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 4, Sch. 1

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