Broadcasting Act 1996
In this Part “multiplex service” means a service provided by any person which consists in the broadcasting for general reception of two or more services specified in subsection (3) by combining the relevant information in digital form, together with any broadcasting in digital form of digital additional services (as defined by section 24(1)).
A service in respect of which a licence under section 7 is in force is not prevented from being a multiplex service at a particular time merely because only one service specified in subsection (3) is being broadcast in digital form at that time.
The services referred to in subsections (1) and (2) are—
a digital programme service (as defined by subsection (4)), or
a qualifying service (as defined by section 2(2)).
In this Part “digital programme service” means a service consisting in the provision by any person of television programmes (together with any ancillary services, as defined by section 24(2)) with a view to their being broadcast in digital form for general reception, whether by him or by some other person, but does not include— except, in the case of a service falling within paragraph (b) or (c), to the extent that it is an ancillary service.
a qualifying service,
a teletext service, or
any service in the case of which the visual images to be broadcast do not consist wholly or mainly of images capable of being seen as moving pictures,
The Secretary of State may, if having regard to developments in broadcasting technology he considers it appropriate to do so, by order amend the definition of “digital programme service” in subsection (4).
No order under subsection (5) shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
In this section—
“digital sound programme service” has the meaning given by section 40(5), and “digital sound programme licence” means a licence to provide such services;
“for general reception” means for general reception in, or in any area in, the United Kingdom.
in the provision of a local delivery service (as defined by section 72(1) of the 1990 Act), and
In this Part “independent analogue broadcaster” means—
the Channel Four Television Corporation,
the Welsh Authority,
any person who holds a Channel 3 licence or a Channel 5 licence, or
the public teletext provider.
Subject to subsections (4) and (5), in this Part “qualifying service” means any service which—
is provided by an independent analogue broadcaster falling within paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (1) who has notified the Commission, within the period of one month beginning with the commencement of this section, of his intention to provide a service specified in subsection (3) (“the corresponding analogue service”) for broadcasting in digital form, and
as respects the programmes included in the service and the times at which they are broadcast, is identical with the corresponding analogue service.
The services referred to in subsection (2) are—
Channel 4, and
any Channel 3 service or Channel 5.
If the Welsh Authority notify the Commission, within the period of one month beginning with the commencement of this section, of their intention to provide S4C Digital, S4C Digital shall be a qualifying service for the purposes of this Part.
If— that service (in this Part referred to as “the qualifying teletext service”) shall be a qualifying service for the purposes of this Part.
the public teletext provider notifies the Commission, within the period of one month beginning with the commencement of this section, of his intention to provide a teletext service for broadcasting in digital form, and
the Commission consent under section 30 to his provision of that service,
In this Part “public teletext provider” means the person who holds the additional services licence (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) which relates to the teletext service referred to in section 49(2) of that Act.
In subsection (2) “programme” does not include an advertisement.
Any licence granted by the Independent Television Commission (in this Part referred to as “the Commission”) under this Part shall be in writing and (subject to the provisions of this Part) shall continue in force for such period as is provided, in relation to a licence of the kind in question, by the relevant provision of this Part.
A licence may be so granted for the provision of such a service as is specified in the licence or for the provision of a service of such a description as is so specified.
The Commission— and nothing in this Part shall be construed as affecting the operation of this subsection or of section 5(1) or (2)(b) or (c).
shall not grant a licence to any person unless they are satisfied that he is a fit and proper person to hold it, and
shall do all that they can to secure that, if they cease to be so satisfied in the case of any person holding a licence, that person does not remain the holder of the licence;
The Commission may vary a licence by a notice served on the licence holder if—
in the case of a variation of the period for which a licence having effect for a specified period is to continue in force, the licence holder consents, or
in the case of any other variation, the licence holder has been given a reasonable opportunity of making representations to the Commission about the variation.
Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) does not affect the operation of section 17(1)(b); and that subsection shall not authorise the variation of any conditions included in a licence in pursuance of section 13(1).
A licence granted to any person under this Part shall not be transferable to any other person without the previous consent in writing of the Commission.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6), the Commission shall not give their consent for the purposes of that subsection unless they are satisfied that any such other person would be in a position to comply with all of the conditions included in the licence which would have effect during the period for which it is to be in force.
The holding by any person of a licence to provide any service shall not relieve him of any requirement to hold a licence under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 or section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 in connection with the provision of that service.
A licence may include—
such conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate having regard to any duties which are or may be imposed on them, or on the licence holder, by or under the 1990 Act or this Act;
conditions requiring the payment by the licence holder to the Commission (whether on the grant of the licence or at such times thereafter as may be determined by or under the licence, or both) of a fee or fees of an amount or amounts so determined;
conditions requiring the licence holder to provide the Commission, in such manner and at such times as they may reasonably require, with such information as they may require for the purpose of exercising the functions assigned to them by or under the 1990 Act or this Act;
conditions providing for such incidental and supplemental matters as appear to the Commission to be appropriate.
A licence may in particular include conditions requiring the licence holder—
to comply with any direction given by the Commission as to such matters as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified, or
(except to the extent that the Commission consent to his doing or not doing them) not to do or to do such things as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified.
The fees required to be paid to the Commission by virtue of subsection (1)(b) shall be in accordance with such tariff as may from time to time be fixed by the Commission; and the amount of any fee which is to be so paid by the holder of a licence of a particular class or description shall be such as to represent what appears to the Commission to be the appropriate contribution of the holder of such a licence towards meeting the sums which the Commission regard as necessary in order to discharge their duty under paragraph 12(1) of Schedule 1 to the 1990 Act.
A tariff fixed under subsection (3) may specify different fees in relation to different cases or circumstances; and the Commission shall publish every such tariff in such manner as they consider appropriate.
Where the holder of any licence— he shall be taken for the purposes of sections 17, 23 and 27 of this Act and section 42 of the 1990 Act to have failed to comply with that condition.
is required by virtue of any condition imposed under this Part to provide the Commission with any information, and
in purported compliance with that condition provides them with information which is false in a material particular,
Nothing in this Part which authorises or requires the inclusion in a licence of conditions relating to any particular matter or having effect for any particular purpose shall be taken as derogating from the generality of subsection (1).
The Commission shall do all that they can to secure—
that a person does not become or remain the holder of a licence if he is a person who is a disqualified person in relation to that licence by virtue of Part II of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act (as amended by this Act); and
that any requirements imposed by or under Parts III to V of that Schedule (as so amended) are complied with by or in relation to persons holding licences in relation to which those requirements apply.
The Commission may accordingly—
require any applicant for a licence to provide them with such information as they may reasonably require for the purpose of determining—
whether he is such a disqualified person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a),
whether any such requirements as are mentioned in subsection (1)(b) would preclude them from granting a licence to him, and
if so, what steps would be required to be taken by or in relation to him in order for any such requirements to be complied with;
revoke the award of a licence to a body where a relevant change takes place after the award, but before the grant, of the licence;
make the grant of a licence to any person conditional on the taking of any specified steps that appear to them to be required to be taken as mentioned in paragraph (a)(iii);
impose conditions in any licence enabling them to require the licence holder, if a body corporate, to give to them advance notice of proposals affecting— where such proposals are known to the body;
shareholdings in the body, or
the directors of the body,
impose conditions in any licence enabling them to give the licence holder directions requiring him to take, or arrange for the taking of, any specified steps appearing to them to be required to be taken in order for any such requirements as are mentioned in subsection (1)(b) to be complied with.
Where the Commission— any provisions of this Part relating to the awarding of licences of the kind in question shall (subject to subsection (4)) have effect as if the person to whom the licence was awarded or granted had not made an application for it.
revoke the award of any licence in pursuance of subsection (2)(b), or
determine that any condition imposed by them in relation to any licence in pursuance of subsection (2)(c) has not been satisfied,
Those provisions shall not so have effect if the Commission decide that it would be desirable to publish a fresh notice under this Part in respect of the grant of a licence, or (as the case may be) a further licence, to provide the service in question.
Every licence shall include such conditions as the Commission consider necessary or expedient to ensure that where— the Commission may revoke the licence by notice served on the holder of the licence and taking effect forthwith or on a date specified in the notice.
the holder of the licence is a body, and
a relevant change takes place after the grant of the licence,
The Commission shall not serve any such notice on the licence holder unless—
they have notified him of the matters complained of and given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about those matters, and
in a case where the relevant change is one falling within subsection (7)—
they have also given him an opportunity of complying with Parts III and IV of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act within a period specified in the notification, and
the period specified in the notification has elapsed.
A relevant change falls within this subsection if it consists only in one or more of the following—
a change in the percentage of total audience time attributable to one or more services for the purposes of paragraph 2 of Part III of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act,
a change in the national market share (within the meaning of Part IV of that Schedule) of one or more national newspapers (within the meaning of that Part of that Schedule), or
a change in the local market share (within the meaning of that Part of that Schedule) in a particular area of one or more local newspapers (within the meaning of that Part of that Schedule).
In this section “relevant change”, in relation to a body to which a licence has been awarded or granted, means— being (in any case) a change which is such that, if it fell to the Commission to determine whether to award the licence to the body in the new circumstances of the case, they would be induced by the change to refrain from so awarding it.
any change affecting the nature or characteristics of the body,
any change in the persons having control over or interests in the body, or
any other change giving rise to a failure to comply with any requirement imposed by or under Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act,
The Secretary of State may by notice assign to the Commission, for the purpose of the provision of multiplex services falling to be licensed by them under this Part, such frequencies as he may determine; and any frequency so assigned shall be taken to be so assigned for the purpose only of being used for the provision of one or more of those services.
Any frequency assigned by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) may be so assigned for use only in such area or areas as may be specified by the Secretary of State when making the assignment.
The Secretary of State may by notice revoke the assignment under subsection (1) of any frequency specified in the notice, whether or not the frequency is for the time being one on which there is being provided a multiplex service licensed under this Part.
Where the Commission propose to grant a licence to provide a multiplex service (in this Part referred to as a “multiplex licence”) they shall publish, in such manner as they consider appropriate, a notice—
stating that they propose to grant such a licence,
specifying the frequency or frequencies on which the service is to be provided,
specifying, in such manner as the Commission consider appropriate, the area or areas in the United Kingdom within which the frequency or frequencies is or are to be available,
inviting applications for the licence and specifying the closing date for such applications,
specifying the fee payable on any application, and
stating whether any percentage of multiplex revenue for each accounting period would be payable by an applicant in pursuance of section 13 if he were granted the licence and, if so, specifying that percentage.
Unless an order under section 13(2) is in force—
the consent of the Secretary of State shall be required for so much of the notice as relates to the matters specified in subsection (1)(f), and
the Commission may if they think fit (with that consent) specify under subsection (1)(f)—
different percentages in relation to different accounting periods falling within the period for which the licence would be in force, and
a nil percentage in relation to any accounting period so falling.
When publishing a notice under subsection (1), the Commission—
shall publish with the notice general guidance as to requirements to be met by proposals as to the matters referred to in subsection (4)(b)(i) and (ii) and (f), and
may publish with the notice such other general guidance as they consider appropriate.
An application made in pursuance of a notice under subsection (1) must be in writing and accompanied by—
the fee specified in the notice under subsection (1)(e),
a technical plan relating to the service which the applicant proposes to provide and indicating—
the parts of the area specified under subsection (1)(c) which would be within the coverage area of the service,
the timetable in accordance with which that coverage would be achieved, and
the technical means by which it would be achieved,
the applicant’s proposals as to the number of digital programme services to be broadcast, as to the characteristics of each of those services and as to the areas in which they would be provided,
the applicant’s proposals as to the timetable in accordance with which the broadcasting of each of those services would begin,
the applicant’s proposals as to the broadcasting of digital additional services,
the applicant’s proposals for promoting or assisting the acquisition, by persons in the proposed coverage area of the service, of equipment capable of receiving all the multiplex services available in that area,
such information as the Commission may reasonably require as to the applicant’s present financial position and his projected financial position during the period for which the licence would be in force, and
such other information as the Commission may reasonably require for the purpose of considering the application.
In subsection (4)(f) “acquisition” includes acquisition on hire or loan.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it, the Commission may require the applicant to furnish additional information under any of paragraphs (b) to (h) of subsection (4).
Any information to be furnished to the Commission under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
The Commission shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date specified in a notice under subsection (1) as the closing date for applications, publish in such manner as they consider appropriate—
the following matters, namely—
the name of every person who has made an application to them in pursuance of the notice,
the proposals submitted by him under subsection (4)(c), and
such other information connected with his application as the Commission consider appropriate; and
a notice—
inviting representations to be made to them with respect to any of the applications, and
specifying the manner in which, and the time by which, any such representations are to be so made.
Where the Commission have published a notice under section 7(1), they shall in determining whether, or to whom, to award the multiplex licence in question, have regard to the extent to which, taking into account the matters specified in subsection (2) and any representations made to them in pursuance of section 7(8)(b) with respect to those matters, the award of the licence to each applicant would be calculated to promote the development of digital television broadcasting in the United Kingdom otherwise than by satellite.
The matters referred to in subsection (1) are—
the extent of the coverage area proposed to be achieved by the applicant as indicated in the technical plan submitted by him under section 7(4)(b),
the timetables proposed by the applicant under section 7(4)(b)(ii) and (d),
the ability of the applicant to establish the proposed service and to maintain it throughout the period for which the licence will be in force,
the capacity of the digital programme services proposed to be included in the service to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests,
any proposals by the applicant for promoting or assisting the acquisition, by persons in the proposed coverage area of the service, of equipment capable of receiving all the multiplex services available in that area, and
whether, in contracting or offering to contract with persons providing digital programme services or digital additional services, the applicant has acted in a manner calculated to ensure fair and effective competition in the provision of such services.
In subsection (2)(e) “acquisition” includes acquisition on hire or loan.
Where the Commission have awarded a multiplex licence to any person in accordance with this section, they shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after awarding the licence—
publish in such manner as they consider appropriate—
the name of the person to whom the licence has been awarded, and
such other information as the Commission consider appropriate, and
grant the licence to that person.
The Commission may, before publishing a notice under section 7(1), determine that two or more multiplex licences are on that occasion to be granted to one person.
Where the Commission have so determined, they shall publish a single notice under section 7(1) in relation to the licences.
In relation to any application made in pursuance of such a notice—
references in section 7(4) to the proposed service shall have effect as references to each of the proposed services,
the reference in section 8(1) to the multiplex licence shall have effect as a reference to all the licences concerned,
in section 8(2), the reference in paragraph (d) to the proposed service shall have effect as a reference to all the proposed services considered together, and other references to the proposed service shall have effect as references either to each of the proposed services or to all of them considered together, as the Commission consider appropriate.
Nothing in this section applies in relation to the renewal of a multiplex licence.
The Commission may, when awarding a multiplex 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—
any duties which are or may be imposed on them, or on the licence holder, by or under the 1990 Act or this Act, and
any information provided to them under section 7(4)(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.
Where the Commission determine that any condition imposed by them in relation to a multiplex licence in pursuance of subsection (1) has not been satisfied, section 8 shall (subject to subsection (3)) have effect as if the person to whom the licence was awarded had not made an application for it.
Section 8 shall not so have effect if the Commission decide that it would be desirable to publish a fresh notice under section 7(1) in respect of the grant of the licence.
Subject to subsection (2), subsection (3) applies where at any time after a multiplex licence has been granted to any person but before the licence has come into force—
that person indicates to the Commission that he does not intend to provide the service in question, or
the Commission for any other reason have reasonable grounds for believing that that person will not provide that service once the licence has come into force.
Subsection (3) shall not apply in the case of any person by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) unless the Commission have served on him a notice stating their grounds for believing that he will not provide the service in question once his licence has come into force; and they shall not serve such a notice on him unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where this subsection applies—
the Commission shall serve on the person to whom the licence has been granted a notice revoking the licence as from the time the notice is served on him, and
section 8 shall (subject to subsection (4)) have effect as if he had not made an application for the licence.
Section 8 shall not have effect as mentioned in subsection (3) if the Commission decide that it would be desirable to publish a fresh notice under section 7(1) in respect of the grant of the licence.
Where the Commission revoke a multiplex licence under this section or under any other provision of this Part, they shall serve on the licence holder a notice requiring him to pay to them, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty not exceeding whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, or
the prescribed amount.
In subsection (5) “the prescribed amount” means—
where— 7 per cent. of the amount which the Commission estimate would have been the multiplex revenue for that accounting period (as determined in accordance with section 14), and
the licence is revoked under this section, or
the first complete accounting period of the licence holder falling within the period for which the licence is in force has not yet ended,
in any other case, 7 per cent. of the multiplex revenue for the last complete accounting period of the licence holder so falling (as so determined).
Any financial penalty payable by any body by virtue of subsection (5) shall, in addition to being recoverable from that body as provided by section 38(4), be recoverable by the Commission as a debt due to them from any person who controls that body.
A multiplex licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for securing—
that the licensed service is established by the licence holder in accordance with the timetable and other proposals indicated in the technical plan submitted under section 7(4)(b),
the implementation of any proposals submitted by the licence holder under section 7(4)(c), (d), (e) or (f),
that all digital programme services broadcast under the licence are provided by the holder of a licence under section 18,
that all digital additional services broadcast under the licence are provided by the holder of a licence under section 25,
that in the terms on which the licence holder contracts, or offers to contract, for the broadcasting of digital programme services or digital additional services, he does not show undue discrimination either against or in favour of a particular person providing such a service or a class of such persons,
that the licence holder does not, in any agreement with a person providing a digital programme service or digital additional services which entitles that person to use a specified amount of digital capacity on the frequency or frequencies to which the licence relates, restrict that person’s freedom to make arrangements with some other person as to the use of any of that digital capacity (except to the extent that the restriction is reasonably required for the purpose of ensuring the technical quality of the broadcasts or for the purpose of securing compliance with any other condition of the licence),
that the signals carrying the multiplex service attain high standards in terms of technical quality and reliability throughout so much of the area for which the service is provided as is for the time being reasonably practicable, and
that, while the licence is in force, at least 90 per cent. of digital capacity on the frequency or frequencies to which the licence relates is available for the broadcasting of digital programme services, qualifying services, programme-related services or relevant technical services.
Any conditions imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) or (b) may be varied by the Commission with the consent of the licence holder (and section 3(4)(b) shall accordingly not apply to any such variation).
Where the licence holder applies to the Commission for the variation of any condition imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(b) and relating to the characteristics of any of the digital programme services to be broadcast under the licence, the Commission shall vary the condition accordingly unless it appears to them that, if the application were granted, the capacity of the digital programme services broadcast under the licence to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests would be unacceptably diminished.
In subsection (1)(h)—
“qualifying service” does not include the qualifying teletext service,
“programme-related service” means any digital additional service consisting in the provision of services (apart from advertising) which—
are ancillary to the programmes included in one or more television programme services (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) and are directly related to the contents of those programmes, or
relate to the promotion or listing of such programmes, and
“relevant technical service” means any technical service which relates to one or more digital programme services.
The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1)(h) by substituting for the percentage for the time being specified there a different percentage specified in the order.
No order under subsection (5) shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
Section 10 of the 1990 Act (Government control over licensed services) shall apply in relation to a multiplex service licensed under this Part as it applies in relation to a service licensed under Part I of that Act.
Where a multiplex licence is granted in pursuance of a notice under subsection (1) of section 7 which specified a percentage of multiplex revenue under paragraph (f) of that subsection, the licence shall include conditions requiring the licence holder to pay to the Commission (in addition to any fees required to be so paid by virtue of section 4(1)(b)) in respect of each accounting period of his falling within the period for which the licence is in force, an amount representing such percentage of the multiplex revenue for that accounting period (determined under section 14) as was specified in the notice.
The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in relation to any notice under subsection (1) of section 7 published while the order is in force, no percentage shall be specified under paragraph (f) of that subsection.
Any order under subsection (2) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
A multiplex licence may include conditions—
enabling the Commission to estimate before the beginning of an accounting period the amount due for that period by virtue of subsection (1), and
requiring the licence holder to pay the estimated amount by monthly instalments throughout that period.
Such a licence may in particular include conditions—
authorising the Commission to revise any estimate on one or more occasions, and to adjust the instalments payable by the licence holder to take account of the revised estimate;
providing for the adjustment of any overpayment or underpayment.
Where— any reference in subsection (1) to an accounting period of his shall include a reference to such part of the accounting period preceding that first complete accounting period, or (as the case may be) following that last complete accounting period, as falls within the licence period; and other references to accounting periods in this Part shall be construed accordingly.
the first complete accounting period of the licence holder falling within the period for which the licence is in force (“the licence period”) does not begin at the same time as that period, or
the last complete accounting period of his falling within the licence period does not end at the same time as that period,
For the purposes of section 13(1) the multiplex revenue for each accounting period of the holder of a multiplex licence shall consist of—
all payments received or to be received by him or any person connected with him from a person other than a programme provider or an additional services provider—
in consideration of the inclusion in that period, in any digital programme service or digital additional service broadcast by means of the multiplex service to which the licence relates, of advertisements or other programmes, or
in respect of charges made in that period for the reception of programmes included in any such digital programme service or digital additional service,
all payments received or to be received by him or any person connected with him in respect of the broadcasting of any qualifying service by means of the multiplex service,
all payments received or to be received by any programme provider or any person connected with him from a person other than the holder of the multiplex licence, an additional services provider or another programme provider—
in consideration of the inclusion in that period, in any digital programme service provided by him for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service, of advertisements or other programmes, or
in respect of charges made in that period for the reception of programmes included in any such digital programme service, and
all payments received or to be received by any additional services provider or any person connected with him from a person other than the holder of the multiplex licence, a programme provider or another additional services provider—
in consideration of the inclusion in that period, in any digital additional service provided by him for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service, of advertisements or other programmes, or
in respect of charges made in that period for the reception of programmes included in any such digital additional service.
If, in connection with the inclusion of any advertisements or other programmes whose inclusion is paid for by payments falling within subsection (1)(a)(i), any payments are made to the holder of the multiplex licence or any connected person to meet any payments payable by the licence holder by virtue of section 13(1), those payments shall be regarded as made in consideration of the inclusion of the programmes in question.
In the case of an advertisement included as mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i), (c)(i) or (d)(i) under arrangements made between— the amount of any receipt by the licence holder, programme provider or additional services provider or any connected person that represents a payment by the advertiser from which the advertising agent has deducted any amount by way of commission shall, except in a case falling within subsection (4), be the amount of the payment by the advertiser after the deduction of the commission.
the holder of the multiplex licence, a programme provider or an additional services provider or any person connected with any of them, and
a person acting as an advertising agent,
If the amount deducted by way of commission as mentioned in subsection (3) exceeds 15 per cent. of the payment by the advertiser, the amount of the receipt in question shall be taken to be the amount of the payment less 15 per cent.
If, in any accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence, a programme provider or an additional services provider or a person connected with any of them derives, in relation to any programme to be included in the relevant service, any financial benefit (whether direct or indirect) from payments made by any person other than the licence holder, by way of sponsorship, for the purpose of defraying or contributing towards costs incurred or to be incurred in connection with that programme, the relevant payments shall be taken to include the amount of the financial benefit so derived by the licence holder or the connected person, as the case may be.
In subsection (5)—
“the relevant service” means—
in relation to a programme provider or a person connected with him, any digital programme service provided as mentioned in subsection (1)(c)(i), and
in relation to an additional services provider or a person connected with him, any digital additional service provided as mentioned in subsection (1)(d)(i), and
“relevant payments” means—
in relation to a programme provider, the payments referred to in subsection (1)(c), and
in relation to an additional services provider, the payments referred to in subsection (1)(d).
Where, in any accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence— the Commission may, if they consider that the amount which would (apart from this subsection) be the multiplex revenue for that accounting period is less than it would have been if the digital programme service or digital additional service had been provided, or the activity engaged in, by another person at arm’s length, treat the multiplex revenue as increased by the amount of the difference.
the licence holder provides a digital programme service or digital additional service for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service,
the licence holder is engaged in any activity which, if engaged in by another person, would result in payments falling within subsection (1)(a) being made to the licence holder,
a programme provider is engaged in any activity which, if engaged in by another person, would result in payments falling within subsection (1)(c) being made to the programme provider, or
an additional services provider is engaged in any activity which, if engaged in by another person, would result in payments falling within subsection (1)(d) being made to the additional services provider,
Where, in any accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence, the licence holder or a programme provider or additional services provider receives payments falling within subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) from a person connected with him and it appears to the Commission that the amount which (apart from this subsection) would be the multiplex revenue for that accounting period is less than it would have been if the arrangements between him and the connected person were such as might be expected between parties at arm’s length, the Commission may treat the multiplex revenue as increased by the amount of the difference.
In this section—
“programme provider”, in relation to a multiplex licence, means any person who provides a digital programme service for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service to which the licence relates.
For the purposes of section 17(3), the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the holder of a multiplex licence in respect of any accounting period of his shall be—
the aggregate of— less
payments falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) of section 14(1), and
payments received or to be received by him from programme providers and additional services providers in respect of the provision of multiplex services in that period,
the amount of any payments made or to be made to programme providers or additional service providers which would fall within paragraph (c) or (d) of section 14(1) but for the fact that they are received from the holder of the multiplex licence.
For the purposes of section 23(3) or section 27(3), the share of multiplex revenue attributable to a programme provider or additional services provider in relation to a multiplex service in respect of any accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence shall be—
the aggregate of— less
payments falling within paragraph (c) or (d) of section 14(1), and
payments received or to be received from the holder of the multiplex licence which would fall within one of those paragraphs but for the fact that they are received from the holder of the multiplex licence,
the amount of any payments made or to be made to the holder of the multiplex licence in respect of the provision of multiplex services in that period.
In a case falling within subsection (7) or (8) of section 14, the Commission may treat the share of multiplex revenue attributable to any person for the accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence as increased by such amount as they consider appropriate to take account of the circumstances mentioned in that subsection.
In this section “additional services provider” and “programme provider”, in relation to a multiplex licence, have the same meaning as in section 14.
A multiplex licence shall (subject to the provisions of this Part and to section 42 of the 1990 Act as applied by section 17(6)) continue in force for a period of twelve years.
A multiplex licence granted within six years of the commencement of this section may be renewed on one occasion in accordance with this section for a period of twelve years beginning with the date on which it would otherwise expire.
An application for the renewal of a multiplex licence under subsection (2) may be made by the licence holder not earlier than four years before the date on which it would otherwise cease to be in force and not later than the relevant date.
At any time before determining the application, the Commission may—
require the applicant to furnish—
a technical plan which supplements that submitted by the licence holder under section 7(4)(b), and
proposals which supplement any proposals submitted by the licence holder under section 7(4)(f), and
notify the applicant of requirements which must be met by that supplementary technical plan or those supplementary proposals and relate to the matters referred to in section 7(4)(b)(i) and (ii) and (f).
The consent of the Secretary of State shall be required for any exercise by the Commission of their powers under subsection (4) and for any decision by the Commission not to exercise those powers; and in deciding whether to give his consent the Secretary of State shall have regard to any report made to him under subsection (1)(b) of section 33 and to any representations received by him on consultation under subsection (4) of that section.
Where any such application is made before the relevant date, the Commission may postpone consideration of it by them for as long as they think appropriate having regard to subsection (10).
Where an application for the renewal of a multiplex licence has been duly made to the Commission they may refuse the application only if—
it appears to them that the applicant has failed to comply with any of the conditions included in his licence,
any supplementary technical plan or supplementary proposals submitted under subsection (4)(a) fail to meet requirements notified to the applicant under subsection (4)(b), or
they are not satisfied that the applicant would, if his licence were renewed, provide a service which complied with the conditions to be included in the licence as renewed.
Subject to subsection (9), on the grant of any such application the Commission may with the consent of the Secretary of State, and shall if so required by him— and the Commission may specify under paragraph (a) or (b) either of the things mentioned in section 7(2)(b).
specify a percentage different from that specified under section 7(1)(f) as the percentage of multiplex revenue for each accounting period of his that will be payable by the applicant in pursuance of section 13(1) during the period for which the licence is to be renewed, or
specify such a percentage where none was specified under section 7(1)(f);
Where an order under section 13(2) is in force on the relevant date, no percentage of multiplex revenue shall be payable as mentioned in subsection (8)(a) during the period for which the licence is to be renewed.
Where the Commission have granted a person’s application under this section, they shall formally renew his licence from the date on which it would otherwise expire; and they shall not so renew his licence unless they have notified him of any percentage specified by them under subsection (8) 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.
Where a multiplex licence has been renewed under this section, the licence as renewed shall include such further conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for securing the implementation of any supplementary technical plan and supplementary proposals submitted under subsection (4)(a).
In this section “the relevant date”, in relation to a multiplex licence, means the date which the Commission determine to be that by which they would need to publish a notice under section 7(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 service formerly provided under that licence.
Nothing in this section prevents the holder of a multiplex licence from applying for a new licence on one or more occasions in pursuance of a notice under section 7(1).
If the Commission are satisfied that the holder of a multiplex licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Commission under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—
a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Commission, or
a notice reducing the period for which the licence is to be in force by a specified period not exceeding two years.
The amount of any financial penalty imposed on any person in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, or
the amount determined under subsection (3).
The amount referred to in subsection (2)(b) is— and in relation to a person whose first complete accounting period falling within the relevant period has not yet ended, paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall be construed as referring to 3, or (as the case may be) 5, per cent. of the amount which the Commission estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for that accounting period (as so determined).
in a case where a penalty under this section has not previously been imposed on the holder of the multiplex licence during any period for which his licence has been in force (“the relevant period”), 3 per cent. of the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for his last complete accounting period (as determined in accordance with section 15), and
in any other case, 5 per cent. of the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for that accounting period (as so determined),
The Commission shall not serve on any person such a notice as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), the Commission may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.
Section 42 of the 1990 Act (power to revoke Channel 3 or 5 licence) shall have effect in relation to a multiplex licence as it has effect in relation to a Channel 3 licence, but as if the reference in subsection (1)(a) of that section to Part I of the 1990 Act were a reference to this Part.
An application for a licence to provide digital programme services (in this Part referred to as a “digital programme licence”) shall—
be made in such manner as the Commission may determine, and
be accompanied by such fee (if any) as they may determine.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it, the Commission may require the applicant to furnish such additional information as they may consider necessary for the purpose of considering the application.
Any information to be furnished to the Commission under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
Where an application for a digital programme licence is made to the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this section, they shall grant the licence unless precluded from doing so by section 3(3)(a) or 5(1).
Subject to subsection (6), sections 6 to 12 of the 1990 Act (general provisions relating to services licensed under Part I of that Act) shall apply in relation to a digital programme service licensed under this Part as they apply in relation to a service licensed under that Part of that Act.
In its application in relation to a digital programme service—
section 6 of the 1990 Act shall have effect with the omission of subsection (8), and
section 12(1)(b) of that Act shall have effect as if the reference to the Commission’s functions under Chapter II of Part I of that Act included a reference to their functions under this Part.
Subject to the provisions of this Part and to section 42 of the 1990 Act as applied by section 23(8), a digital programme licence shall continue in force until it is surrendered by its holder.
A digital programme licence shall include such conditions as the Commission consider necessary or appropriate to secure in relation to each service provided under the licence—
that a proper proportion of the matter included in the programmes provided by the service is of European origin, and
that in each year not less than 10 per cent. of the total amount of time allocated to the broadcasting of qualifying programmes included in the service is allocated to the broadcasting of a range and diversity of independent productions.
A digital programme licence shall also include such conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence—
on entering into any agreement with the holder of a multiplex licence for the provision of a digital programme service to be broadcast by means of a multiplex service, to notify the Commission—
of the identity of the multiplex service,
of the characteristics of the digital programme service to which the agreement relates,
of the period during which it will be provided, and
where under the agreement the holder of the digital programme licence will be entitled to the use of a specified amount of digital capacity, of that amount,
when any such agreement is varied so far as it relates to any of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), to notify the Commission of the variation so far as relating to those matters, and
where he is providing a digital programme service to the holder of a multiplex licence in accordance with such an agreement as is mentioned in paragraph (a) but intends to cease doing so, to notify the Commission of that fact.
A digital programme licence shall also include such conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence, on entering into any such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (3)(a), to submit to the Commission proposals for training or retraining persons employed or to be employed by him in order to help fit them for employment in, or in connection with, the making of programmes to be included in his service, together with his proposals for encouraging the training or retraining of persons employed or to be employed by persons providing programmes for inclusion in that service.
Where the holder of a digital programme licence has submitted proposals to the Commission in accordance with a condition included in the licence by virtue of subsection (4) or has failed to comply with such a condition, the Commission may, after consulting him, vary the licence so as to include in the licence such further conditions as they consider appropriate in relation to the matters referred to in that subsection.
In framing any condition in pursuance of subsection (2)(a), the Commission shall have regard to such of the international obligations of United Kingdom as the Secretary of State may notify to them for the purposes of this subsection.
In subsection (2)(b)—
“independent productions” and “qualifying programmes” have the same meaning as in section 16(2)(h) of the 1990 Act, and
the reference to a range of independent productions is a reference to a range of such productions in terms of cost of acquisition as well as in terms of the types of programme involved.
The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2)(b) by substituting a different percentage for the percentage for the time being specified there.
Before making an order under subsection (8) the Secretary of State shall consult the Commission; and no such order shall be made unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
In this section “programme” does not include an advertisement.
The Commission shall draw up, and from time to time review, a code giving guidance as to—
the extent to which digital programme services and qualifying services should promote the understanding and enjoyment by— of the programmes to be included in such services, and
persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and
persons who are blind or partially-sighted,
the means by which such understanding and enjoyment should be promoted.
In this section “assistance” means assistance of any of the following three kinds, namely—
subtitling for the deaf,
audio-description for the blind, and
presentation in, or translation into, sign language.
The code must require that, as from the tenth anniversary of the date of the commencement of the provision of any digital programme service, in each week—
at least 50 per cent. of so much of the service as consists of programmes which are not excluded programmes in relation to subtitling for the deaf is to be accompanied by such subtitling, and
at least 10 per cent. of so much of the service as consists of programmes which are not excluded programmes in relation to audio-description for the blind is to be accompanied by such audio-description.
The code must specify—
in relation to subtitling for the deaf, those classes of programmes in relation to which the Commission consider that it would be inappropriate for the requirement in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) to apply, and
in relation to audio-description for the blind, those classes of programmes in relation to which the Commission consider that it would be inappropriate for the requirement in paragraph (b) of that subsection to apply.
If an order under section 21(1)(b) is in force, the code must also specify, in relation to presentation in, or translation into, sign language, those classes of programmes in relation to which the Commission consider that it would be inappropriate for the requirements specified in the order to apply.
In determining under subsection (4) or (5) whether it is appropriate for a particular requirement to apply to any class of programmes, the Commission shall have regard, in particular, to the benefit which the assistance would be likely to confer on the persons for whom it is intended and to the technical difficulty of providing it.
In this section “excluded programme”, in relation to assistance of a particular kind, means a programme falling within a class specified under subsection (4) or (5) in relation to assistance of that kind.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the code may—
require persons providing digital programme services, at any time or times before the anniversary referred to in subsection (3), to meet specified targets in relation to subtitling for the deaf or audio-description for the blind,
require a specified percentage of so much of any digital programme service as consists of programmes which are not excluded programmes in relation to presentation in, or translation into, sign language, to be so presented or translated, and
require, in relation to assistance of any kind, a specified percentage of so much of any digital programme service as consists of excluded programmes falling within a specified class to be accompanied by assistance of that kind.
In subsection (8) “specified” means specified in, or determined by the Commission under, the code.
Subsections (3) and (8), so far as relating to audio-description for the blind or presentation in, or translation into, sign language, shall have effect as if any reference to a digital programme service included a reference to a qualifying service.
The Commission may determine that, for the purposes of any provision included in the code in pursuance of subsection (3), a digital programme service provided by any person is to be treated as a continuation of a digital programme service previously provided by him.
Before drawing up the code or reviewing it in pursuance of this section the Commission shall consult such bodies or persons appearing to them to represent the interests of the persons referred to in subsection (1)(a) as the Commission think fit.
The Commission shall publish the code drawn up under this section, and every revision of it, in such manner as they consider appropriate; and in determining the manner of publication, the Commission shall have regard to the need to make the code or revision accessible to persons who are blind or partially sighted and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In this section—
“the Commission” means the Independent Television Commission;
“licence” means a licence under this Part, and “licensed” shall be construed accordingly;
in a case where the relevant programme was broadcast by a broadcasting body, that body, and
in a case where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, the licence holder providing that service.
The Secretary of State may by order—
amend subsection (3) of section 20 by substituting for any percentage specified there a percentage specified in the order, and
require the Commission to include in the code maintained under that section the requirement that in each week, at least a percentage specified in the order of so much of any digital programme service or qualifying service as consists of programmes which are not excluded programmes for the purposes of that section in relation to presentation in, or translation into, sign language is to be so presented or translated.
In subsection (1) “qualifying service” does not include the qualifying teletext service.
Before making an order under subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall consult the Commission.
No order under subsection (1) shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
The Commission shall do all that they can to secure that the provisions of the code maintained by them under section 20 are observed in the provision of digital programme services and qualifying services.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a digital programme licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence, on entering into any such agreement as is mentioned in section 19(3)(a), to submit to the Commission proposals for ensuring that the code is complied with in relation to the provision of the digital programme service.
Where the holder of a digital programme licence has submitted proposals to the Commission in accordance with a condition included in the licence by virtue of subsection (2) or has failed to comply with such a condition, the Commission shall, after consulting him, vary the licence so as to include in the licence such further conditions as they consider appropriate for the purpose of securing compliance with the code in the provision of the digital programme service in question.
If the Commission are satisfied that the holder of a digital programme licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Commission under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—
a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Commission, or
a notice providing that the licence is to expire on a specified date, which shall be at least one year from the date of service of the notice.
The amount of any financial penalty imposed on any person in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, or
the amount determined under subsection (3).
The amount referred to in subsection (2)(b) is—
in a case where a penalty under this section has not previously been imposed on the holder of the digital programme licence during any period for which his licence has been in force, 3 per cent. of the aggregate amount of the shares of multiplex revenue attributable to him in relation to multiplex services in respect of relevant accounting periods (as determined in accordance with section 15), and
in any other case, 5 per cent. of the aggregate amount of those shares of multiplex revenue (as so determined).
In subsection (3)(a) “relevant accounting period”, in relation to a multiplex service, means the last accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence.
Where, in the case of any multiplex service, the first accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence throughout which the holder of the digital programme licence provides a digital programme service for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service (“the first period”) has not yet ended, then for the purposes of subsection (3) the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the holder of the digital programme licence in relation to that multiplex service for the relevant accounting period shall be taken to be the amount which the Commission estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for the first period.
The Commission shall not serve on any person such a notice as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), the Commission may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.
Subject to subsection (9), section 40(1) to (4) (power to direct licensee to broadcast correction or apology or not to repeat programme) and section 42 (power to revoke Channel 3 or 5 licence) of the 1990 Act shall apply in relation to a digital programme licence as they apply in relation to a Channel 3 licence.
In its application in relation to a digital programme licence, section 42 of the 1990 Act shall have effect—
with the substitution for the reference in subsection (1)(a) to Part I of that Act of a reference to this Part, and
with the omission of subsection (4) and of the reference to that subsection in subsection (6).
It is hereby declared that any exercise by the Commission of their powers under subsection (1) in respect of any failure to comply with any condition of a digital programme licence shall not preclude the exercise by them of their powers under section 40 of the 1990 Act in respect of that failure.
In this Part “digital additional service” means any service which—
is provided by any person with a view to its being broadcast in digital form by means of a multiplex service, whether by him or by some other person, but
is not a digital programme service, a qualifying service, an ancillary service or a technical service.
In this Part “ancillary service” means any service which is provided by the holder of a digital programme licence or by an independent analogue broadcaster and consists in the provision of—
subtitling for the deaf in connection with programmes included in a digital programme service or qualifying service provided by him, or
other services (apart from advertising) which—
are ancillary to such programmes and directly related to their contents, or
relate to the promotion or listing of such programmes.
In this Part “technical service” means a service which—
is provided for technical purposes connected with the encryption or decryption of one or more digital programme services or digital additional services, and
is of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.
An order under subsection (3) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
An application for a licence to provide digital additional services (in this Part referred to as a “digital additional services licence”) shall—
be made in such manner as the Commission may determine, and
be accompanied by such fee (if any) as they may determine.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it, the Commission may require the applicant to furnish such additional information as they may consider necessary for the purpose of considering the application.
Any information to be furnished to the Commission under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
Where an application for a digital additional services licence is made to the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this section, they shall grant the licence unless precluded from doing so by section 3(3)(a) or 5(1).
Subject to subsection (6), sections 6 to 12 of the 1990 Act (general provisions relating to services licensed under Part I of that Act) shall apply in relation to any digital additional service which is licensed under this Part of this Act and is broadcast for general reception in, or in any area in, the United Kingdom as they apply in relation to services licensed under Part I of the 1990 Act.
In its application in relation to a digital additional service—
section 6 of the 1990 Act shall have effect with the omission of subsection (8), and
section 12(1)(b) of the 1990 Act shall have effect as if the reference to the Commission’s functions under Chapter II of Part I of that Act included a reference to their functions under this Part.
Subject to the provisions of this Part and to section 42 of the 1990 Act as applied by section 27(8), a digital additional services licence shall continue in force until it is surrendered by its holder.
A digital additional services licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence—
on entering into any agreement with the holder of a multiplex licence for the broadcasting of digital additional services by means of a multiplex service, to notify the Commission—
of the identity of the multiplex service,
of the period during which the services will be provided,
where under the agreement the holder of the digital additional services licence will be entitled to the use of a specified amount of digital capacity, of that amount,
when any such agreement is varied so far as it relates to any of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii), to notify the Commission of the variation so far as relating to those matters, and
where he is providing digital additional services to the holder of a multiplex licence in accordance with such an agreement as is mentioned in paragraph (a) but intends to cease doing so, to notify the Commission of that fact.
If the Commission are satisfied that the holder of a digital additional services licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Commission under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—
a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Commission, or
a notice providing that the licence is to expire on a specified date, which shall be at least one year from the date of service of the notice.
The amount of any financial penalty imposed on any person in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, or
the amount determined under subsection (3).
The amount referred to in subsection (2)(b) is—
in a case where a penalty under this section has not previously been imposed on the holder of the digital additional services licence during any period for which his licence has been in force, 3 per cent. of the aggregate amount of the shares of multiplex revenue attributable to him in relation to multiplex services in respect of relevant accounting periods (as determined in accordance with section 15), and
in any other case, 5 per cent. of the aggregate amount of those shares of multiplex revenue (as so determined).
In subsection (3)(a) “relevant accounting period”, in relation to a multiplex service, means the last accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence.
Where, in the case of any multiplex service, the first accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence throughout which the holder of the digital additional services licence provides a digital additional service for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service (“the first period”) has not yet ended, then for the purposes of subsection (3) the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the holder of the digital additional services licence in relation to that multiplex service for the relevant accounting period shall be taken to be the amount which the Commission estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for the first period.
The Commission shall not serve on any person such a notice as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), the Commission may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.
Subject to subsection (9), sections 40(1) to (4) and section 42 of the 1990 Act shall apply in relation to a digital additional services licence as they apply in relation to a Channel 3 licence.
In its application in relation to a digital additional services licence, section 42 of the 1990 Act shall have effect—
with the substitution for the reference in subsection (1)(a) to Part I of that Act of a reference to this Part, and
with the omission of subsection (4) and of the reference to that subsection in subsection (6).
It is hereby declared that any exercise by the Commission of their powers under subsection (1) in respect of any failure to comply with any condition of a digital additional services licence shall not preclude the exercise by them of their powers under section 40 of the 1990 Act in respect of that failure.
The Secretary of State shall exercise his powers under this section for the purposes of—
facilitating the broadcasting of qualifying services by means of multiplex services licensed under this Part, and
entitling any independent analogue broadcaster who in accordance with this section provides a qualifying service for broadcasting in digital form on a frequency to the use of digital capacity on that frequency.
The Secretary of State shall, in assigning frequencies to the Commission under section 6, by direction to the Commission—
designate one or two frequencies as frequencies to which this section applies, and
specify in relation to each frequency so designated—
the independent analogue broadcasters for whom digital capacity is to be reserved in accordance with this section,
the amount of digital capacity to be so reserved for each of them,
the times of day between which or days of the week on which such capacity is to be so reserved,
the area in the United Kingdom in which each of them is to be permitted to provide services, and
the qualifying services which, subject to the provisions of this section, are intended to be broadcast on that frequency.
The Secretary of State may by order—
provide, in relation to any frequency to which this section applies—
that any or all of the provisions of sections 7 to 16 and sections 18 and 19 are not to apply, or are to apply with specified modifications, and
that provisions of the order are to have effect in place of any or all of those provisions,
provide for the Commission to include in any multiplex licence granted in respect of any such frequency such conditions as may be specified in, or determined by them under, the order, including conditions for securing the result specified in subsection (4),
provide for the Commission to vary any licence under which the service specified in section 2(3) corresponding to the qualifying service (“the corresponding analogue service”) is provided so as to include such conditions relating to the broadcasting of the qualifying service as may be specified in, or determined by the Commission under, the order and to include those conditions in any other licence under which the corresponding analogue service is subsequently provided, and
make such other provision for either of the purposes specified in subsection (1) as he considers appropriate.
The result referred to in subsection (3)(b) is that, in consideration of the making, by any independent analogue broadcaster specified under subsection (2)(b)(i) in relation to the frequency concerned, of such payments as are from time to time agreed between him and the holder of the multiplex licence or (in default of agreement) determined by the Commission under the order, the holder of that licence will use the digital capacity specified under subsection (2)(b)(ii) for the broadcasting of services provided by that broadcaster.
Where under subsection (2)(b) digital capacity is reserved only between particular times, on particular days or in a particular area, the reference in subsection (4) to broadcasting is a reference to broadcasting between those times, on those days or in that area.
Without prejudice to the generality of section 200(2)(a) of the 1990 Act (which provides that orders may make different provision for different cases), an order under this section may make different provision for different frequencies.
Any order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
If the Welsh Authority provide S4C Digital, it shall be their duty—
to provide it as a public service for disseminating information, education and entertainment,
to ensure that all the programmes in Welsh which are broadcast on S4C are broadcast on S4C Digital at the same time, and
to ensure that the programmes which are broadcast on S4C Digital but not on S4C maintain—
a high general standard in all respects (and, in particular, in respect of their content and quality), and
a wide range in their subject matter, having regard both to the programmes as a whole and also to the days of the week on which, and the times of the day at which, the programmes are broadcast.
Sections 57(4), 58(5), 59, 60 and 64 of the 1990 Act shall apply in relation to S4C Digital as they apply in relation to S4C.
No payment shall be required by the BBC in respect of the broadcasting pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of programmes provided by them under section 58(1) of the 1990 Act.
In this section “programme” does not include an advertisement.
If the public teletext provider has notified the Commission under section 2(5) of his intention to provide a teletext service for broadcasting in digital form as a qualifying service, he shall submit to the Commission his proposals for providing that service in compliance with the requirements specified in subsection (3).
The Commission shall give their consent to the provision of the service unless it appears to them that the proposed service would not comply with the requirements specified in subsection (3).
The requirements referred to in subsections (1) and (2) are—
that the service includes a sufficient amount of news items which are of high quality and deal with both national and international matters,
that the service includes a sufficient amount of information which is of particular interest to persons living within different areas for which the service is provided, and
that (taken as whole) the service includes a sufficient amount of information (other than news) which is calculated to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests.
Where the Commission have given their consent under subsection (2), they shall vary the relevant licence held by the public teletext provider so as to include such conditions as appear to them to be appropriate— and they may include those conditions in any other licence under which the analogue service is subsequently provided.
for imposing on the public teletext provider, in specified circumstances, an obligation to provide the qualifying teletext service, and
for securing that the qualifying teletext service, if provided, accords with the proposals submitted under subsection (1);
Sections 6 to 12 of the 1990 Act (general provisions relating to services licensed under Part I of that Act) shall apply in relation to the qualifying teletext service as they apply in relation to the analogue service, but as if the reference in section 12(1)(b) of the 1990 Act to the Commission’s functions under Chapter II of Part I of that Act included a reference to their functions under this Part.
In this section—
“digital programme service” has the meaning given by section 1(4), and “digital programme licence” means a licence to provide such services;
“licence” means a licence under this Part, and “licensed” shall be construed accordingly;
Where an independent analogue broadcaster other than the Welsh Authority or the public teletext provider includes in a qualifying service advertisements which are not included in the corresponding analogue service (within the meaning of section 2(2)), sections 8 and 9 of the 1990 Act shall have effect as if the provision of the advertisements constituted the provision of a service licensed under Part I of the 1990 Act.
The Secretary of State may by order provide for the Commission to include in any multiplex licence granted in respect of one frequency to which section 28 applies such conditions relating to the broadcasting of programmes in Gaelic for reception wholly or mainly in Scotland as may be specified in, or determined by them under, the order.
The Secretary of State may by order require the holder of a multiplex licence (“the holder”), in complying with any such conditions, to broadcast programmes in Gaelic supplied by each of the persons mentioned in subsection (4) (“the suppliers”) amounting to such minimum number of hours (if any) of transmission time per year as may be specified in the order in relation to that supplier.
For the purpose of enabling the holder to comply with any such conditions and any obligation imposed by virtue of subsection (2), it shall be the duty of each supplier to provide the holder, free of charge, with such programmes in Gaelic which have been broadcast by the supplier as the holder may request.
The suppliers are—
the BBC,
the Channel Four Television Corporation,
any holder of a Channel 3 licence to provide a regional Channel 3 service (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) for reception wholly in Scotland, and
such other persons providing television broadcasting services as may be specified by order by the Secretary of State.
Subsection (3) shall not apply in relation to any programme first broadcast by the supplier concerned—
before 1st January 1993, or
in the period beginning on 1st January 1993 and ending on 31st March 1997, if the supplier has no right to broadcast it again or has such a right but is not entitled to transfer it to the holder.
The holder may broadcast any programme supplied by virtue of subsection (3) on one occasion only.
The holder shall consult Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig and the suppliers about— and shall have regard to any comments made as a result of such consultation.
the quantity of programmes likely to be requested by the holder from each supplier by virtue of subsection (3), and
the schedules proposed for the broadcast by the holder of programmes supplied by virtue of that subsection,
Any order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
In this section “Gaelic” means the Gaelic language as spoken in Scotland.
For the purpose of considering for how long it would be appropriate for television broadcasting services to continue to be provided in analogue form, the Secretary of State—
shall keep under review the extent of— and the likely future extent of such provision, such availability and such ownership or possession, and
the provision in the United Kingdom of multiplex services,
the availability in the United Kingdom in digital form of the services specified in section 2(3), S4C Digital, the qualifying teletext service, and the television broadcasting services of the BBC, and
the ownership or possession in the United Kingdom of equipment capable of receiving the services referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) when broadcast or transmitted in digital form,
shall, on or before the fourth anniversary of the day on which the first multiplex licence is granted under section 8, and at such time or times thereafter as he thinks fit, require the Commission and the BBC to report to him on the matters referred to in paragraph (a).
If the Commission or the BBC are required to submit a report under subsection (1)(b), they shall submit the report within twelve months of the date of the requirement.
Before making any report under subsection (1)(b), the Commission shall consult— and the Commission shall include in their report a summary of representations made to them by the persons consulted.
the holders of all multiplex licences,
the holders of digital programme licences who are providing digital programme services which are being broadcast,
such other persons providing services licensed by the Commission under this Part or Part I or II of the 1990 Act as the Commission think fit, and
the Welsh Authority;
For the purpose mentioned in subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall, on requiring reports under subsection (1)(b), consult— in connection with the matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) and also, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, as to the likely effects on viewers of any television broadcasting service ceasing to be broadcast in analogue form.
such persons appearing to him to represent viewers as he thinks fit, and
such other persons as he thinks fit,
In this section “television broadcasting service” has the same meaning as in Part I of the 1990 Act.
Any multiplex licence or digital programme licence shall include conditions requiring the licence holder—
to make arrangements for promoting, in relation to employment by him, equality of opportunity between men and women and between persons of different racial groups,
to make arrangements for promoting, in relation to employment by him, the fair treatment of disabled persons, and
to review those arrangements from time to time.
In subsection (1) “racial group” has the same meaning as in the Race Relations Act 1976, and “disabled person” has the same meaning as in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Where the Commission— the Commission shall send a copy of the direction, notice or representations to the Secretary of State.
give a direction to a BBC company under section 40(1) of the 1990 Act as applied by section 23(8) or 27(8),
serve a notice on a BBC company under any provision of section 17, 23 or 27, or
receive any representations from a BBC company under section 17(4), 23(6) or 27(6) or under section 42 of the 1990 Act as so applied,
The Secretary of State may by order amend any of the provisions specified in subsection (2) by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there.
The provisions referred to in subsection (1) are— section 11(5)(a); section 17(2)(a); section 23(2)(a); and section 27(2)(a).
An order under subsection (1) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Part I of Schedule 1 (which contains provisions relating to the computation of multiplex revenue for the purposes of this Part) shall have effect.
Where, in respect of any licence granted under this Part, the Commission receive any of the amounts specified in subsection (2), that amount shall not form part of the revenues of the Commission but shall—
if the licence is for the provision of a service for any area in Great Britain, be paid into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom,
if the licence is for the provision of a service for any area in Northern Ireland, be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland, or
in any other case, be paid into whichever of those Funds the Commission consider appropriate or into both of those Funds in such proportions as the Commission consider appropriate.
The amounts referred to in subsection (1) are amounts payable to the Commission by virtue of any of the following provisions— section 11(5); section 13(1); section 17(1); section 23(1); section 27(1).
Subsection (1) shall not be construed as applying to any amount which is required by the Commission for the making of an adjustment in respect of an overpayment made by any person.
Any amount payable by any person to the Commission under or by virtue of this Part shall be recoverable by them as a debt due to them from that person; and, where any amount is so payable by a person as the holder of a licence granted under this Part, his liability to pay it shall not be affected by his licence ceasing (for any reason) to be in force.
The Commission shall, in respect of each financial year, prepare an account showing— and shall send that account to the Comptroller and Auditor General not later than the end of the month of November following the financial year to which it relates; and the Comptroller and Auditor General shall examine, certify and report on the account and lay copies of it, together with his report, before each House of Parliament.
all such amounts falling within subsection (1) as have been received by them, and
the sums paid into the Consolidated Funds of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland respectively under that subsection in respect of those amounts,
In this Part—
any television programme service (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) which is licensed under that Part,
“S4C” and “on S4C” have the same meaning as in Part I of the 1990 Act;
Where the person who is for the time being the holder of any licence (“the present licence holder”) is not the person to whom the licence was originally granted, any reference in this Part (however expressed) to the holder of the licence shall be construed, in relation to any time falling before the date when the present licence holder became the holder of it, as including a reference to a person who was previously the holder of the licence.
In this Part“radio multiplex service” means a service provided by any person which consists in the broadcasting for general reception of two or more services specified in subsection (3) by combining the relevant information in digital form, together with any broadcasting in digital form of digital additional services (as defined by section 63(1)).
A service in respect of which a licence under section 46 or 50 is in force is not prevented from being a radio multiplex service at a particular time merely because only one service specified in subsection (3) is being broadcast in digital form at that time.
The services referred to in subsections (1) and (2) are—
a digital sound programme service (as defined by subsection (5)), or
a simulcast radio service (as defined by section 41(2)).
A radio multiplex service provided on a frequency or frequencies assigned to the Authority under section 45(1) may be either—
provided for a particular area or locality in the United Kingdom (a “local radio multiplex service”), or
provided without any restriction by virtue of this Act to a particular area or locality in the United Kingdom (a “national radio multiplex service”).
In this Part “digital sound programme service” means a service consisting in the provision by any person of programmes consisting wholly of sound (together with any ancillary services, as defined by section 63(2)) with a view to their being broadcast in digital form for general reception, whether by him or by some other person, but does not include—
a simulcast radio service (as defined by section 41(2)), or
a service where the sounds are to be received through the use of coded reference to pre-defined phonetic elements of sounds.
The Secretary of State may, if having regard to developments in broadcasting technology he considers it appropriate to do so, by order amend the definition of “digital sound programme service” in subsection (5).
No order under subsection (6) shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
In this section—
“broadcast” means broadcast otherwise than—
in the provision of a local delivery service (as defined by section 72(1) of the 1990 Act), and
In this Part “independent national broadcaster” means any person who is the holder of a national licence (within the meaning of Part III of the 1990 Act).
In this Part a “simulcast radio service” means any service provided for broadcasting in digital form—
which is provided by an independent national broadcaster who has notified the Authority, within the period of one month beginning with the commencement of this section, of his intention to provide a service for broadcasting in that form which corresponds to a national service (within the meaning of Part III of the 1990 Act) provided by him otherwise than in that form, and
which corresponds to that national service.
For the purposes of this Part a service provided for broadcasting in digital form corresponds to a national service (within the meaning of Part III of the 1990 Act) if, and only if, in every calendar month—
at least 80 per cent. of so much of the national service as consists of programmes, consists of programmes which are also included in the digital service in that month, and
at least 50 per cent. of so much of the national service as consists of such programmes is broadcast at the same time on both services.
The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (3)(a) or (b) by substituting for the percentage for the time being specified there a different percentage specified in the order.
Before making an order under subsection (4) the Secretary of State shall consult such persons appearing to him to represent listeners as he thinks fit.
An order under subsection (4) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
In subsection (3) “programme” does not include an advertisement.
Any licence granted by the Radio Authority (in this Part referred to as “the Authority”) under this Part shall be in writing and (subject to the provisions of this Part) shall continue in force for such period as is provided, in relation to a licence of the kind in question, by the relevant provision of this Part.
The Authority— and nothing in this Part shall be construed as affecting the operation of this subsection or of section 44(1) or (2)(b) or (c).
shall not grant a licence to any person unless they are satisfied that he is a fit and proper person to hold it, and
shall do all that they can to secure that, if they cease to be so satisfied in the case of any person holding a licence, that person does not remain the holder of the licence;
The Authority may vary a licence by a notice served on the licence holder if—
in the case of a variation of the period for which a licence having effect for a specified period is to continue in force, the licence holder consents, or
in the case of any other variation, the licence holder has been given a reasonable opportunity of making representations to the Authority about the variation.
Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) does not affect the operation of section 59(1)(b); and that subsection shall not authorise the variation of any condition included in a licence in pursuance of section 55(1).
A licence granted to any person under this Part shall not be transferable to any other person without the previous consent in writing of the Authority.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5), the Authority shall not give their consent for the purposes of that subsection unless they are satisfied that any such other person would be in a position to comply with all of the conditions included in the licence which would have effect during the period for which it is to be in force.
The holding by any person of a licence to provide any service shall not relieve him of any requirement to hold a licence under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 or section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 in connection with the provision of that service.
A licence may include—
such conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate having regard to any duties which are or may be imposed on them, or on the licence holder, by or under the 1990 Act or this Act;
conditions enabling the Authority to supervise and enforce technical standards in connection with the provision of the licensed service;
conditions requiring the payment by the licence holder to the Authority (whether on the grant of the licence or at such times thereafter as may be determined by or under the licence, or both) of a fee or fees of an amount or amounts so determined;
conditions requiring the licence holder to furnish the Authority, in such manner and at such times as they may reasonably require, with such information as they may require for the purpose of exercising the functions assigned to them by or under this Act;
conditions requiring the licence holder, if found by the Authority to be in breach of any condition of his licence, to reimburse to the Authority, in such circumstances as are specified in any conditions, any costs reasonably incurred by them in connection with the breach of that condition;
conditions providing for such incidental and supplemental matters as appear to the Authority to be appropriate.
A licence may in particular include—
conditions requiring the licence holder—
to comply with any direction given by the Authority as to such matters as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified, or
(except to the extent that the Authority consent to his doing or not doing them) not to do or to do such things as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified; and
conditions requiring the licence holder to permit— to enter any premises which are used in connection with the broadcasting of the licensed service and to inspect, examine, operate or test any equipment on the premises which is used in that connection.
any employee of, or person authorised by, the Authority, or
any officer of, or person authorised by, the Secretary of State,
The fees required to be paid to the Authority by virtue of subsection (1)(c) shall be in accordance with such tariff as may from time to time be fixed by the Authority; and the amount of any fee which is to be so paid by the holder of a licence of a particular class or description shall be such as to represent what appears to the Authority to be the appropriate contribution of the holder of such a licence towards meeting the sums which the Authority regard as necessary in order to discharge their duty under paragraph 12(1) of Schedule 8 to the 1990 Act.
A tariff fixed under subsection (3) may specify different fees in relation to different cases or circumstances; and the Authority shall publish every such tariff in such manner as they consider appropriate.
Where the holder of any licence— he shall be taken for the purposes of sections 59, 62 and 66 of this Act and section 111 of the 1990 Act to have failed to comply with that condition.
is required by virtue of any condition imposed under this Part to provide the Authority with any information, and
in purported compliance with that condition provides them with any information which is false in a material particular,
Nothing in this Act which authorises or requires the inclusion in a licence of conditions relating to any particular matter or having effect for any particular purpose shall be taken as derogating from the generality of subsection (1).
The Authority shall do all that they can to secure—
that a person does not become or remain the holder of a licence if he is a person who is a disqualified person in relation to that licence by virtue of Part II of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act (as amended by this Act); and
that any requirements imposed by or under Parts III to V of that Schedule (as so amended) are complied with by or in relation to persons holding licences in relation to which those requirements apply.
The Authority may accordingly—
require any applicant for a licence to provide them with such information as they may reasonably require for the purpose of determining—
whether he is such a disqualified person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a),
whether any such requirements as are mentioned in subsection (1)(b) would preclude them from granting a licence to him, and
if so, what steps would be required to be taken by or in relation to him in order for any such requirements to be complied with;
revoke the award of a licence to a body where a relevant change takes place after the award, but before the grant, of the licence;
make the grant of a licence to any person conditional on the taking of any specified steps that appear to them to be required to be taken as mentioned in paragraph (a)(iii);
impose conditions in any licence enabling them to require the licence holder, if a body corporate, to give to them advance notice of proposals affecting— where such proposals are known to the body;
shareholdings in the body, or
the directors of the body,
impose conditions in any licence enabling them to give the licence holder directions requiring him to take, or arrange for the taking of, any specified steps appearing to them to be required to be taken in order for any such requirements as are mentioned in subsection (1)(b) to be complied with.
Where the Authority— any provisions of this Part relating to the awarding of licences of the kind in question shall (subject to subsection (4)) have effect as if the person to whom the licence was awarded or granted had not made an application for it.
revoke the award of any licence in pursuance of subsection (2)(b), or
determine that any condition imposed by them in relation to any licence in pursuance of subsection (2)(c) has not been satisfied,
Those provisions shall not so have effect if the Authority decide that it would be desirable to publish a fresh notice under this Part in respect of the grant of a licence, or (as the case may be) a further licence, to provide the service in question.
Every licence shall include such conditions as the Authority consider necessary or expedient to ensure that where— the Authority may revoke the licence by notice served on the holder of the licence and taking effect forthwith or on a date specified in the notice.
the holder of the licence is a body, and
a relevant change takes place after the grant of the licence,
The Authority shall not serve any such notice on the licence holder unless—
the Authority have notified him of the matters complained of and given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about those matters, and
in a case where the relevant change is one falling within subsection (7)—
they have also given him an opportunity of complying with Parts III and IV of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act within a period specified in the notification, and
the period specified in the notification has elapsed.
A relevant change falls within this subsection if it consists only in one or more of the following—
a reduction in the total number of points, calculated in accordance with paragraph 9 of Part III of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act, attributable to all the services referred to in paragraph 8(1) or (2)(a) or (b) of that Part of that Schedule,
a change in the national market share (within the meaning of Part IV of that Schedule) of one or more national newspapers (within the meaning of that Part of that Schedule), or
a change in the local market share (within the meaning of that Part of that Schedule) in a particular area of one or more local newspapers (within the meaning of that Part of that Schedule).
In this section “relevant change”, in relation to a body to which a licence has been awarded or granted, means— being (in any case) a change which is such that, if it fell to the Authority to determine whether to award the licence to the body in the new circumstances of the case, they would be induced by the change to refrain from so awarding it.
any change affecting the nature or characteristics of the body,
any change in the persons having control over or interests in the body, or
any other change giving rise to a failure to comply with any requirement imposed by or under Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act,
The Secretary of State may by notice assign to the Authority, for the purpose of the provision of radio multiplex services falling to be licensed by them under this Part, such frequencies as he may determine.
Any frequency assigned by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) may be so assigned for use only in such area or areas as may be specified by the Secretary of State when making the assignment.
When assigning a frequency under subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall specify whether the frequency is to be assigned for the purpose of the provision of a national radio multiplex service or for the purpose of the provision of a local radio multiplex service; and any frequency assigned under that subsection shall be taken to be so assigned only for that purpose.
When assigning a frequency under subsection (1) for the purpose of the provision of a national radio multiplex service, the Secretary of State may also direct the Authority to secure that the holder of the licence to provide that service is required—
to broadcast one or more digital sound programme services of a particular character, or
not to broadcast more than a specified number of digital sound programme services of a particular character.
References in subsection (4) to digital sound programme services of a particular character include references to digital sound programme services catering for the tastes and interests of persons living within a specified area or locality.
The Secretary of State may by notice revoke the assignment under subsection (1) of any frequency specified in the notice, and may do so whether or not that frequency is for the time being one on which a radio multiplex service is being provided.
Where the Authority propose to grant a licence to provide a national radio multiplex service, they shall publish, in such manner as they consider appropriate, a notice—
stating that they propose to grant such a licence,
specifying the frequency on which the service is to be provided,
specifying, in such manner as the Authority consider appropriate, the area of the United Kingdom in which the frequency is to be available,
where digital capacity on the frequency is reserved in pursuance of a direction under section 48 for the broadcasting of a simulcast radio service, stating that fact and specifying the capacity reserved and the identity of the national service or services concerned,
where the frequency is one in respect of which a direction under section 45(4) has been given, setting out the terms of the direction,
inviting applications for the licence and specifying the closing date for such applications,
specifying the fee payable on any application made in pursuance of the notice, and
stating whether any percentage of multiplex revenue for each accounting period would be payable by an applicant in pursuance of section 55 if he were granted the licence and, if so, specifying that percentage.
Unless an order under section 55(2) is in force—
the consent of the Secretary of State shall be required for so much of the notice as relates to the matters specified in subsection (1)(h), and
the Authority may if they think fit (with that consent) specify under subsection (1)(h)—
different percentages in relation to different accounting periods falling within the period for which the licence would be in force, and
a nil percentage in relation to any accounting period so falling.
When publishing a notice under subsection (1), the Authority—
shall publish with the notice general guidance as to requirements to be met by proposals as to the matters referred to in subsection (4)(b)(i) and (ii) and (f), and
may publish with the notice such other general guidance as they consider appropriate.
Any application made in pursuance of a notice under subsection (1) must be in writing and accompanied by—
the fee specified in the notice under subsection (1)(g),
a technical plan relating to the service which the applicant proposes to provide and indicating—
the parts of the area specified under subsection (1)(c) which would be within the coverage area of the service,
the timetable in accordance with which that coverage would be achieved, and
the technical means by which it would be achieved,
the applicant’s proposals as to the number of digital sound programme services to be broadcast and as to the characteristics of each of those services,
the applicant’s proposals as to the timetable in accordance with which the broadcasting of each of those services would begin,
the applicant’s proposals as to the broadcasting of digital additional services,
the applicant’s proposals for promoting or assisting the acquisition, by persons in the proposed coverage area of the service, of equipment capable of receiving the service,
such information as the Authority may reasonably require as to the applicant’s present financial position and his projected financial position during the period for which the licence would be in force, and
such other information as the Authority may reasonably require for the purpose of considering the application.
In subsection (4)(f) “acquisition” includes acquisition on hire or loan.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it, the Authority may require the applicant to furnish additional information under any of paragraphs (b) to (h) of subsection (4).
Any information to be furnished to the Authority under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
The Authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date specified in a notice under subsection (1) as the closing date for applications, publish in such manner as they consider appropriate—
the following matters, namely—
the name of every person who has made an application to them in pursuance of the notice,
the proposals submitted by him under subsection (4)(c), and
such other information connected with his application as the Authority consider appropriate; and
a notice—
inviting representations to be made to them with respect to any of the applications, and
specifying the manner in which, and the time by which, any such representations are to be so made.
Where the Authority have published a notice under section 46(1), they shall in determining whether, or to whom, to award the national radio multiplex licence in question, have regard to the extent to which, taking into account the matters specified in subsection (2) and any representations received by them in pursuance of section 46(8)(b) with respect to those matters, the award of the licence to each applicant would be calculated to promote the development of digital sound broadcasting in the United Kingdom otherwise than by satellite.
The matters referred to in subsection (1) are—
the extent of the coverage area (within the area specified in the notice under section 46(1)(c)) proposed to be achieved by the applicant as indicated in the technical plan submitted by him under section 46(4)(b),
the timetables proposed by the applicant under section 46(4)(b)(ii) and (d),
the ability of the applicant to establish the proposed service and to maintain it throughout the period for which the licence will be in force,
the capacity of the digital sound programme services proposed to be included in the service to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests,
any proposals by the applicant for promoting or assisting the acquisition, by persons in the proposed coverage area of the service, of equipment capable of receiving the service, and
whether, in contracting or offering to contract with persons providing digital sound programme services or digital additional services, the applicant has acted in a manner calculated to ensure fair and effective competition in the provision of such services.
In subsection (2)(e) “acquisition” includes acquisition on hire or loan.
Where a direction under section 45(4) has effect in relation to any frequency, the Authority shall not award a national radio multiplex licence in relation to that frequency unless they are satisfied that the proposals submitted by the applicant under section 46(4)(c) comply with the direction.
Where the Authority have awarded a national radio multiplex licence to any person in accordance with this section, they shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after awarding the licence—
publish in such manner as they consider appropriate—
the name of the person to whom the licence has been awarded, and
such other information as the Authority consider appropriate, and
grant the licence to that person.
The Secretary of State may, in assigning a frequency to the Authority under section 45 for the purpose of the provision of a national radio multiplex service, direct the Authority that, in relation to each independent national broadcaster specified in the direction, an amount of digital capacity specified in the direction is to be reserved, subject to the provisions of this Part, for the broadcasting of a simulcast radio service.
Before giving a direction under subsection (1) in relation to any simulcast radio service, the Secretary of State shall consult the Authority as to the amount of digital capacity which the Authority consider appropriate in all the circumstances for the broadcasting of that service.
Where a direction under subsection (1) has been given in relation to a frequency—
the Authority shall include in any national radio multiplex licence granted in respect of that frequency such conditions as appear to them to be appropriate for securing that, in consideration of the making by any independent national broadcaster in relation to whom capacity is reserved of such payments as are from time to time agreed between him and the licence holder or (in default of agreement) determined under this section, the licence holder uses such digital capacity not exceeding the amount reserved under subsection (1) as may from time to time be requested by the independent national broadcaster for the broadcasting of services provided by that broadcaster, and
the Authority shall vary the licence under which the national service is provided to include such conditions relating to the broadcasting of the simulcast radio service as they may determine.
Where the holder of a national radio multiplex licence and an independent national broadcaster fail to agree as to the payments to be made under a condition included in the licence in accordance with subsection (3)(a), either of them may refer the matter to the Authority for their determination.
Before making a determination under subsection (4), the Authority shall give the licence holder and the independent national broadcaster an opportunity of making representations to the Authority about the matter.
In making any determination under subsection (4), the Authority shall have regard to—
the expenses incurred, or likely to be incurred, by the licence holder in providing the national radio multiplex service and in broadcasting the simulcast radio service in question, and
the terms on which persons providing national radio multiplex services contract with persons providing national digital sound programme services for the broadcasting of those services.
In exercising their powers to grant local radio multiplex licences, the Authority shall reserve to the BBC such digital capacity as the Authority consider appropriate in all the circumstances with a view to enabling every BBC local radio service and every BBC radio service for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to be received in digital form within a coverage area which, so far as reasonably practicable, corresponds with the coverage area for that service as provided otherwise than in digital form.
The circumstances to which the Authority may have regard in performing their duty under subsection (1) include the likely demand for digital capacity by persons providing or proposing to provide local digital sound programme services.
Where the Authority propose to grant a licence to provide a local radio multiplex service, they shall notify the BBC of the Authority’s proposals for reserving to the BBC digital capacity on the frequency in respect of which the licence is to be granted in respect of the area or locality in which it is to be granted.
If the BBC do not give their consent to the proposals within such period as the Authority may specify in their notice under subsection (3), the Authority shall refer the proposals to the Secretary of State, who may determine—
whether any digital capacity is to be reserved to the BBC on the grant of the licence, and
if so, the amount of that capacity.
Before making any determination under subsection (4), the Secretary of State shall give the Authority and the BBC an opportunity of making representations to him about the Authority’s proposals.
Where a local radio multiplex licence is granted in respect of a frequency and area or locality in respect of which digital capacity is reserved in pursuance of this section, the licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate for the purpose of securing that, in consideration of the making by the BBC of such payments as are from time to time agreed between the holder of the licence and the BBC, the holder of the licence uses such digital capacity as may from time to time be requested by the BBC (not exceeding the amount so reserved) for the broadcasting of services provided by the BBC.
Where— the Authority shall publish, in such manner as they consider appropriate, a notice under subsection (2).
the BBC have given their consent to proposals made to them under subsection (3) of section 49, or
the Secretary of State has made a determination under subsection (4) of that section,
A notice under this subsection is a notice—
stating that the Authority propose to grant a local radio multiplex licence,
specifying the frequency on which the service is to be provided,
specifying, in such manner as the Authority consider appropriate, the area or locality in the United Kingdom in which it is to be available,
stating whether in pursuance of a direction under section 49 any digital capacity on the frequency in that area or locality is to be reserved for the broadcasting in digital form of one or more BBC radio services and, if so, specifying the capacity reserved and the identity of the BBC radio services concerned,
inviting applications for the licence and specifying the closing date for such applications, and
specifying the fee payable on any application made in pursuance of the notice.
When publishing a notice under subsection (2), the Authority—
shall publish with the notice general guidance as to requirements to be met by proposals as to the matters referred to in subsection (4)(b)(i) and (ii), and
may publish with the notice such other general guidance as they consider appropriate.
Any application made in pursuance of a notice under subsection (2) must be in writing and accompanied by—
the fee specified in the notice under subsection (2)(f),
a technical plan relating to the service which the applicant proposes to provide and indicating—
the parts of the area or locality specified under subsection (2)(c) which would be within the coverage area of the service,
the timetable in accordance with which that coverage would be achieved, and
the technical means by which it would be achieved,
the applicant’s proposals as to the number of digital sound programme services (other than BBC services) to be broadcast and as to the characteristics of each of those services,
the applicant’s proposals as to the timetable in accordance with which the broadcasting of each of those services would begin,
the applicant’s proposals as to the broadcasting of digital additional services,
such information as the Authority may reasonably require as to the applicant’s present financial position and his projected financial position during the period for which the licence would be in force, and
such other information as the Authority may reasonably require for the purpose of considering the application.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it the Authority may require the applicant to furnish additional information under any of paragraphs (b) to (g) of subsection (4).
Any information to be furnished to the Authority under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
The Authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date specified in a notice under subsection (2) as the closing date for applications, publish in such manner as they consider appropriate—
the following matters, namely—
the name of every person who has made an application to them in pursuance of the notice,
the proposals submitted by him under subsection (4)(c), and
such other information connected with his application as the Authority consider appropriate; and
a notice—
inviting representations to be made to them with respect to any of the applications, and
specifying the manner in which, and the time by which, any such representations are to be so made.
Where the Authority have published a notice under section 50(2), they shall in determining whether, or to whom, to award the local radio multiplex licence in question, have regard (in relation to each applicant) to the matters specified in subsection (2).
The matters referred to in subsection (1) are—
the extent of the coverage area (within the area or locality specified in the notice under section 50(2)(c)) proposed to be achieved by the applicant as indicated in the technical plan submitted by him under section 50(4)(b),
the timetables proposed by the applicant under section 50(4)(b)(ii) and (d),
the ability of the applicant to establish the proposed service and to maintain it throughout the period for which the licence will be in force,
the extent to which the digital sound programme services (other than BBC services) proposed to be included in the service would cater for the tastes and interests of persons living in the area or locality for which the service is to be provided and, where it is proposed to cater for any particular tastes and interests of such persons, the extent to which those services would cater for those tastes and interests,
the extent to which any such digital sound programme services would broaden the range of programmes available by way of local digital sound programme services to persons living in the area or locality for which it is to be provided and, in particular, the extent to which they would cater for tastes and interests different from those already catered for by local digital sound programme services provided for that area or locality,
the extent to which the application is supported by persons living in that area or locality, and
whether, in contracting or offering to contract with persons providing digital sound programme services or digital additional services, the applicant has acted in a manner calculated to ensure fair and effective competition in the provision of those services.
In considering the matters referred to in subsection (2), the Authority shall take into account any representations made to them in pursuance of section 50(7)(b) with respect to those matters.
Where the Authority have awarded a local radio multiplex licence to any person in accordance with this section, they shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after awarding the licence—
publish in such manner as they consider appropriate—
the name of the person to whom the licence has been awarded, and
such other information as the Authority consider appropriate, and
grant the licence to that person.
The Authority may, before publishing a notice under section 50(2), determine that two or more local radio multiplex licences are on that occasion to be granted to one person.
Where the Authority have so determined, they shall publish a single notice under section 50(2) in relation to the licences.
In relation to any application made in pursuance of such a notice—
references in section 50(4) and 51(2) to the proposed service shall have effect as references to each of the proposed services, and
the reference in section 51(1) to the local radio multiplex licence shall have effect as a reference to all the licences concerned.
Nothing in this section applies in relation to the renewal of a local radio multiplex licence.
Subject to subsection (2), subsection (3) applies where at any time after a radio multiplex licence has been granted to any person but before the licence has come into force—
that person indicates to the Authority that he does not intend to provide the service in question, or
the Authority for any other reason have reasonable grounds for believing that that person will not provide that service once the licence has come into force.
Subsection (3) shall not apply in the case of any person by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) unless the Authority have served on him a notice stating their grounds for believing that he will not provide the service in question once his licence has come into force; and they shall not serve such a notice on him unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where this subsection applies—
the Authority shall serve on the person to whom the licence has been granted a notice revoking the licence as from the time the notice is served on him, and
section 47 or 51 shall (subject to subsection (4)) have effect as if he had not made an application for the licence.
Section 47 or 51 shall not have effect as mentioned in subsection (3) if the Authority decide that it would be desirable to publish a fresh notice under section 46(1) or 50(2) in respect of the grant of the licence.
Where the Authority revoke a radio multiplex licence under this section or under any other provision of this Part, they shall serve on the licence holder a notice requiring him to pay to them, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty not exceeding—
in the case of a local radio multiplex licence, £50,000, or
in the case of a national radio multiplex licence, whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, or
the prescribed amount.
In subsection (5)(b)(ii) “the prescribed amount” means—
where— 7 per cent. of the amount which the Authority estimate would have been the multiplex revenue for that accounting period (as determined in accordance with section 56), and
the licence is revoked under this section, or
the first complete accounting period of the licence holder falling within the period for which the licence is in force has not yet ended,
in any other case, 7 per cent. of the multiplex revenue for the last complete accounting period of the licence holder so falling (as so determined).
Any financial penalty payable by any body by virtue of subsection (5) shall, in addition to being recoverable from that body as provided by section 71(4), be recoverable by the Authority as a debt due to them from any person who controls that body.
A radio multiplex licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate for securing—
that the licensed service is established by the licence holder in accordance with the timetable and other proposals indicated in the technical plan submitted under section 46(4)(b) or 50(4)(b),
the implementation of any proposals submitted by the licence holder under section 46(4)(c) to (f) or 50(4)(c) to (e),
that all digital sound programme services broadcast under the licence are provided—
in the case of a national radio multiplex licence, by the holder of a national digital sound programme licence under section 60, and
in the case of a local radio multiplex licence, by the BBC or the holder of a local digital sound programme licence under that section,
that all digital additional services broadcast under the licence are provided by the holder of a licence under section 64,
that in the terms on which the holder of the licence contracts, or offers to contract, for the broadcasting of digital sound programme services or digital additional services, he does not show undue discrimination either against or in favour of a particular person providing such a service or a class of such persons,
that the holder of the licence does not, in any agreement with a person providing a digital sound programme service or digital additional services which entitles that person to use a specified amount of digital capacity on the frequency or frequencies to which the licence relates, restrict that person’s freedom to make arrangements with some other person as to the use of any of that digital capacity (except to the extent that the restriction is reasonably required for the purpose of ensuring the technical quality of the broadcasts or for the purpose of securing compliance with any other condition of the licence),
that the signals carrying the radio multiplex service attain high standards in terms of technical quality and reliability throughout so much of the area or locality for which the service is provided as is for the time being reasonably practicable, and
that, while the licence is in force, at least 90 per cent. of digital capacity on the frequency or frequencies to which the licence relates is available for the broadcasting of digital sound programme services, simulcast radio services, programme-related services or relevant technical services.
In paragraph (1)(h)—
“programme-related service” means any digital additional service consisting in the provision of services (apart from advertising) which—
are ancillary to the programmes included in one or more digital sound programme services, simulcast radio services or local or national services (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) and are directly related to the contents of those programmes, or
relate to the promotion or listing of such programmes, and
“relevant technical service” means any technical service which relates to one or more digital sound programme services.
The Secretary of State may, after consulting the Authority, by order amend subsection (1) by substituting a different percentage for the percentage for the time being specified in paragraph (h) of that subsection.
No order under subsection (3) shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
Any conditions imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) or (b) may be varied by the Authority with the consent of the licence holder (and section 42(3)(b) shall accordingly not apply to any such variation).
Where the licence holder applies to the Authority for the variation of any condition imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(b) and relating to the characteristics of any of the digital sound programme services to be broadcast under the licence, the Authority shall vary the condition accordingly unless—
it appears to the Authority that, if the application were granted, the capacity of the digital sound programme services broadcast under the licence to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests would be unacceptably diminished, or
in the case of a national radio multiplex licence in relation to which a direction under section 45(4) has effect, the Authority are not satisfied that the proposed variation complies with that direction.
Section 94 of the 1990 Act (Government control over licensed services) shall apply in relation to a radio multiplex service licensed under this Part as it applies in relation to a service licensed under Part III of that Act.
Where a national radio multiplex licence is granted in pursuance of a notice under subsection (1) of section 46 which specified a percentage of multiplex revenue under paragraph (h) of that subsection, the licence shall include conditions requiring the licence holder to pay to the Authority (in addition to any fees required to be so paid by virtue of section 43(1)(c)) in respect of each accounting period of his falling within the period for which the licence is in force, an amount representing such percentage of the multiplex revenue for that accounting period (determined under section 56) as was specified in the notice.
The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in relation to any notice under subsection (1) of section 46 published while the order is in force, no percentage shall be specified under paragraph (h) of that subsection.
Any order under subsection (2) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
A national radio multiplex licence may include conditions—
enabling the Authority to estimate before the beginning of an accounting period the amount due for that period by virtue of subsection (1), and
requiring the licence holder to pay the estimated amount by monthly instalments throughout that period.
Such a licence may in particular include conditions—
authorising the Authority to revise any estimate on one or more occasions, and to adjust the instalments payable by the licence holder to take account of the revised estimate;
providing for the adjustment of any overpayment or underpayment.
Where— any reference in subsection (1) to an accounting period of his shall include a reference to such part of the accounting period preceding that first complete accounting period, or (as the case may be) following that last complete accounting period, as falls within the licence period; and other references to accounting periods in this Part shall be construed accordingly.
the first complete accounting period of the licence holder falling within the period for which the licence is in force (“the licence period”) does not begin at the same time as that period, or
the last complete accounting period of his falling within the licence period does not end at the same time as that period,
For the purposes of section 55(1) the multiplex revenue for each accounting period of the holder of a national radio multiplex licence shall consist of—
all payments received or to be received by him or any person connected with him from a person other than a programme provider or an additional services provider—
in consideration of the inclusion in that period, in any digital sound programme service or digital additional service broadcast by means of the national radio multiplex service to which the licence relates, of advertisements or other programmes, or
in respect of charges made in that period for the reception of programmes included in any such digital sound programme service or digital additional service,
all payments received or to be received by him or any person connected with him in respect of the broadcasting of any simulcast radio service by means of the national radio multiplex service,
all payments received or to be received by any programme provider or any person connected with him from a person other than the holder of the radio multiplex licence, an additional service provider or another programme provider—
in consideration of the inclusion in that period, in any digital sound programme service provided by him for broadcasting by means of the national radio multiplex service, of advertisements or other programmes, or
in respect of charges made in that period for the reception of programmes included in any such digital sound programme service, and
all payments received or to be received by any additional services provider or any person connected with him from a person other than the holder of the radio multiplex licence, a programme provider or another additional services provider—
in consideration of the inclusion in that period, in any digital additional service provided by him for broadcasting by means of the national radio multiplex service, of advertisements or other programmes, or
in respect of charges made in that period for the reception of programmes included in any such digital additional service.
If, in connection with the inclusion of any advertisements or other programmes whose inclusion is paid for by payments falling within subsection (1)(a)(i), any payments are made to the holder of the radio multiplex licence or any person connected with him to meet any payments payable by the licence holder by virtue of section 55(1), those payments shall be regarded as made in consideration of the inclusion of the programmes in question.
In the case of an advertisement included as mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i), (c)(i) or (d)(i) under arrangements made between— the amount of any receipt by the licence holder, programme provider or additional services provider or any connected person that represents a payment by the advertiser from which the advertising agent has deducted any amount by way of commission shall, except in a case falling within subsection (4), be the amount of the payment by the advertiser after the deduction of the commission.
the holder of the radio multiplex licence, a programme provider or an additional services provider or any person connected with any of them, and
a person acting as an advertising agent,
If the amount deducted by way of commission as mentioned in subsection (3) exceeds 15 per cent. of the payment by the advertiser, the amount of the receipt in question shall be taken to be the amount of the payment less 15 per cent.
If, in any accounting period of the holder of the radio multiplex licence, a programme provider or an additional services provider or a person connected with any of them derives, in relation to any programme to be included in the relevant service, any financial benefit (whether direct or indirect) from payments made by any person other than the licence holder, by way of sponsorship, for the purpose of defraying or contributing towards costs incurred or to be incurred in connection with that programme, the relevant payments shall be taken to include the amount of the financial benefit so derived by the licence holder or the connected person, as the case may be.
In subsection (5)—
“the relevant service” means—
in relation to a programme provider or a person connected with him, any digital sound programme service provided as mentioned in subsection (1)(c)(i), and
in relation to an additional services provider or a person connected with him, any digital additional service provided as mentioned in subsection (1)(d)(i), and
“relevant payments” means—
in relation to a programme provider, the payments referred to in subsection (1)(c), and
in relation to an additional services provider, the payments referred to in subsection (1)(d).
Where, in any accounting period of the holder of the radio multiplex licence— the Authority may, if they consider that the amount which would (apart from this subsection) be the multiplex revenue for that accounting period is less than it would have been if the digital sound programme service or digital additional service had been provided, or the activity engaged in, by another person at arm’s length, treat the multiplex revenue as increased by the amount of the difference.
the licence holder provides a digital sound programme service or digital additional service for broadcasting by means of the multiplex service,
the licence holder is engaged in any activity which, if engaged in by another person, would result in payments falling within subsection (1)(a) being made to the licence holder,
a programme provider is engaged in any activity which, if engaged in by another person, would result in payments falling within subsection (1)(c) being made to the programme provider, or
an additional services provider is engaged in any activity which, if engaged in by another person, would result in payments falling within subsection (1)(d) being made to the additional services provider,
Where, in any accounting period of the holder of the multiplex licence, the licence holder or a programme provider or additional services provider receives payments falling within subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) from a person connected with him and it appears to the Authority that the amount which (apart from this subsection) would be the multiplex revenue for that accounting period is less than it would have been if the arrangements between him and the connected person were such as might be expected between parties at arm’s length, the Authority may treat the multiplex revenue as increased by the amount of the difference.
In this section—
“programme provider”, in relation to a national radio multiplex licence, means any person who provides a digital sound programme service for broadcasting by means of the radio multiplex service to which the licence relates.
For the purposes of section 59(3), the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the holder of a national radio multiplex licence in respect of any accounting period of his shall be—
the aggregate of— less
payments falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of section 56(1), and
payments received or to be received by him from programme providers and additional services providers in respect of the provision of radio multiplex services in that period,
the amount of any payments made or to be made to programme providers or additional service providers which would fall within paragraph (c) or (d) of section 56(1) but for the fact that they are received from the holder of the national radio multiplex licence.
For the purposes of section 62(3) or section 66(3), the share of multiplex revenue attributable to a programme provider or additional services provider in relation to a national radio multiplex service in respect of any accounting period of the holder of the radio multiplex licence shall be—
the aggregate of— less
payments falling within paragraph (c) or (d) of section 56(1), and
payments received or to be received from the holder of the radio multiplex licence which would fall within one of those paragraphs but for the fact that they are received from the holder of the radio multiplex licence,
the amount of any payments made or to be made to the holder of the radio multiplex licence in respect of the provision of radio multiplex services in that period.
In a case falling within subsection (7) or (8) of section 56, the Authority may treat the share of multiplex revenue attributable to any person for the accounting period of the holder of the national radio multiplex licence as increased by such amount as they consider appropriate to take account of the circumstances mentioned in that subsection.
In this section “additional services provider” and “programme provider”, in relation to a national radio multiplex licence, have the same meaning as in section 56.
A radio multiplex licence shall (subject to the provisions of this Part and to section 111 of the 1990 Act as applied by section 59(8)) continue in force for a period of twelve years.
A radio multiplex licence which is granted within six years of the commencement of this section may be renewed on one occasion in accordance with this section for a period of twelve years beginning with the date on which it would otherwise expire.
An application for the renewal of a radio multiplex licence under subsection (2) may be made by the licence holder not earlier than four years before the date on which it would otherwise cease to be in force and not later than the relevant date.
At any time before determining the application, the Authority may—
require the applicant to furnish—
a technical plan which supplements that submitted by the licence holder under section 46(4)(b) or 50(4)(b), and
in the case of a national radio multiplex licence, proposals which supplement that submitted by the licence holder under section 46(4)(f), and
notify the applicant of requirements which must be met by that supplementary technical plan or those supplementary proposals and relate to the matters referred to in section 46(4)(b)(i) and (ii) or 50(4)(b)(i) and (ii).
The consent of the Secretary of State shall be required for any exercise by the Authority of their powers under subsection (4) and for any decision by the Authority not to exercise those powers; and in deciding whether to give his consent the Secretary of State shall have regard to any report made to him under subsection (1)(b) of section 67 and to any representations received by him on consultation under subsection (4) of that section.
Where any such application is made before the relevant date, the Authority may postpone consideration of it by them for as long as they think appropriate having regard to subsection (10).
Where an application for the renewal of a radio multiplex licence has been duly made to the Authority, they may refuse the application only if—
it appears to them that the applicant has failed to comply with any of the conditions included in his licence,
any supplementary technical plan or supplementary proposals submitted under subsection (4)(a) fail to meet requirements notified to the applicant under subsection (4)(b), or
they are not satisfied that the applicant would, if his licence were renewed, provide a service which complied with the conditions to be included in the licence as renewed.
Subject to subsection (9), on the grant of any such application the Authority may with the consent of the Secretary of State, and shall if so required by him— and the Authority may specify under paragraph (a) or (b) either of the things mentioned in section 46(2)(b).
specify a percentage different from that specified under section 46(1)(h) as the percentage of multiplex revenue for each accounting period of his that will be payable by the applicant in pursuance of section 55(1) during the period for which the licence is to be renewed, or
specify such a percentage where none was specified under section 46(1)(h);
Where an order under section 55(2) is in force on the relevant date, no percentage of multiplex revenue shall be payable as mentioned in subsection (8)(a) during the period for which the licence is to be renewed.
Where the Authority have granted a person’s application under this section, they shall formally renew his licence from the date on which it would otherwise expire; but in the case of a national multiplex licence they shall not so renew his licence unless they have notified him of any percentage specified by them under subsection (8) 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.
Where a radio multiplex licence has been renewed under this section, the licence as renewed shall include such further conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate for securing the implementation of any supplementary technical plan and supplementary proposals submitted under subsection (4)(a).
In this section “the relevant date”, in relation to a radio multiplex licence, means the date which the Authority determine to be that by which they would need to publish a notice under section 46(1) or 50(2) if they were to grant, as from the date on which that licence would expire if not renewed, a fresh licence to provide the service formerly provided under that licence.
Nothing in this section prevents the holder of a radio multiplex licence from applying for a new licence on one or more occasions in pursuance of a notice under section 46(1) or 50(2).
If the Authority are satisfied that the holder of a radio multiplex licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—
a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Authority, or
a notice reducing the period for which the licence is to be in force by a specified period not exceeding two years.
The amount of any financial penalty imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) on the holder of a national radio multiplex licence shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, or
the amount determined under subsection (3).
The amount referred to in subsection (2)(b) is— and in relation to a person whose first complete accounting period falling within the relevant period has not yet ended, paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall be construed as referring to 3, or (as the case may be) 5, per cent. of the amount which the Authority estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for that accounting period (as so determined).
in a case where a penalty under this section has not previously been imposed on the holder of the radio multiplex licence during any period for which his licence has been in force (“the relevant period”), 3 per cent. of the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for his last complete accounting period (as determined in accordance with section 57), and
in any other case, 5 per cent. of the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for that accounting period (as so determined),
The amount of any financial penalty imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) on the holder of a local radio multiplex licence shall not exceed £50,000.
The Authority shall not serve on any person any notice under subsection (1) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), the Authority may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.
Where the Authority serve a notice on a BBC company under any provision of this section, they shall send a copy of the notice to the Secretary of State.
Subject to subsection (9), section 111 of the 1990 Act (power to revoke licence granted under Chapter II of Part III of the 1990 Act) shall have effect in relation to a radio multiplex licence as it has effect in relation to a licence under Chapter II of Part III of the 1990 Act.
In its application in relation to a radio multiplex licence, section 111 of the 1990 Act shall have effect—
with the substitution in subsection (1)(a) for the reference to Part III of the 1990 Act of a reference to this Part, and
with the omission of subsection (4) and the reference to that subsection in subsection (6).
For the purposes of this Part a digital sound programme service is—
a “national digital sound programme service” if it is provided for broadcasting by means of a national radio multiplex service, and
a “local digital sound programme service” if it is provided for broadcasting by means of a local radio multiplex service.
A licence to provide digital sound programme services (in this Part referred to as a “digital sound programme licence”) may be either—
a licence to provide national digital sound programme services (in this Part referred to as a “national digital sound programme licence”), or
a licence to provide local digital sound programme services (in this Part referred to as a “local digital sound programme licence”).
An application for a digital sound programme licence shall—
be made in such manner as the Authority may determine, and
be accompanied by such fee (if any) as they may determine.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it, the Authority may require the applicant to furnish such additional information as they may consider necessary for the purpose of considering the application.
Any information to be furnished to the Authority under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
Where an application for a digital sound programme licence is made to the Authority in accordance with the provisions of this section, they shall grant the licence unless precluded from doing so by section 42(2)(a) or 44(1).
Subject to subsection (8), section 90 of the 1990 Act (general provisions relating to services licensed under Part III of that Act) shall apply in relation to a digital sound programme service licensed under this Part of this Act as it applies in relation to a national or local service (within the meaning of Part III of the 1990 Act).
In its application in relation to a digital sound programme service licensed under this Part, section 90 of the 1990 Act shall have effect with the omission of subsection (7) and with the substitution for subsections (3) and (4) of the following—
Subject to subsection (10), sections 91 to 96 of the 1990 Act (general provisions relating to services licensed under Part III of that Act) shall apply in relation to a digital sound programme service licensed under this Part as they apply in relation to a licensed service (within the meaning of Part III of the 1990 Act).
In its application in relation to a digital sound programme service, section 96(1)(b) shall have effect as if the reference to the Authority’s functions under Chapter II of Part III of the 1990 Act included a reference to their functions under this Part.
Subject to the provisions of this Part and to section 111 of the 1990 Act as applied by section 62(10), a digital sound programme licence shall continue in force until it is surrendered by its holder.
A digital sound programme licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence—
on entering into any agreement with the holder of a radio multiplex licence for the provision of a digital sound programme service to be broadcast by means of a radio multiplex service, to notify the Authority—
of the identity of the radio multiplex service,
of the characteristics of the digital sound programme service to which the agreement relates, and
of the period during which it will be provided,
when any such agreement is varied so far as it relates to any of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii), to notify the Authority of the variation so far as relating to those matters, and
where he is providing a digital sound programme service to the holder of a radio multiplex licence in accordance with such an agreement as is mentioned in paragraph (a) but intends to cease doing so, to notify the Authority of that fact.
A digital sound programme licence shall also include such conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence, on entering into any such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (2)(a), to submit to the Authority proposals for training or retraining persons employed or to be employed by him in order to help fit them for employment in, or in connection with, the making of programmes to be included in his service.
Where the holder of a digital sound programme licence has submitted proposals to the Authority in accordance with a condition included in the licence by virtue of subsection (3) or has failed to comply with such a condition, the Authority may, after consulting him, vary the licence so as to include in the licence such further conditions as they consider appropriate in relation to the matters referred to in that subsection.
If the Authority are satisfied that the holder of a digital sound programme licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—
a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Authority,
a notice providing that the licence is to expire on a specified date, which shall be at least one year from the date of service of the notice, and
a notice suspending the licence for a specified period not exceeding six months.
The amount of any financial penalty imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) on the holder of a national digital sound programme licence shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, and
the amount determined under subsection (3).
The amount referred to in subsection (2)(b) is—
in a case where a penalty under this section has not previously been imposed on the holder of the digital sound programme licence during any period for which his licence has been in force, 3 per cent. of the aggregate amount of the shares of multiplex revenue attributable to him in relation to national radio multiplex services in respect of relevant accounting periods (as determined in accordance with section 57), and
in any other case, 5 per cent. of the aggregate amount of those shares of multiplex revenue (as so determined).
In subsection (3) “relevant accounting period”, in relation to a national radio multiplex service, means the last accounting period of the holder of the national radio multiplex licence.
Where, in the case of any national radio multiplex service, the first accounting period of the holder of the national radio multiplex licence throughout which the holder of the digital sound programme licence provides a digital sound programme service for broadcasting by means of the radio multiplex service (“the first period”) has not yet ended, then for the purposes of subsection (3) the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the holder of the digital sound programme licence in relation to that radio multiplex service for the relevant accounting period shall be taken to be the amount which the Authority estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for the first period.
The amount of any financial penalty imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) on the holder of a local digital sound programme licence shall not exceed £50,000.
The Authority shall not serve on any person any notice under subsection (1) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), the Authority may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.
Where the Authority serve a notice on a BBC company under any provision of this section, they shall send a copy of the notice to the Secretary of State.
Subject to subsections (11) and (12), section 109 (power to require scripts etc. or broadcasting of correction or apology or not to repeat programme) and section 111 (power to revoke licences) of the 1990 Act shall apply in relation to a digital sound programme licence as they apply in relation to a licence under Chapter II of Part III of the 1990 Act.
In its application in relation to a digital sound programme licence, section 109(1) of the 1990 Act shall have effect with the substitution for the reference to a direction under Part III of that Act of a reference to a direction under this Part.
In its application in relation to a digital sound programme licence, section 111 of the 1990 Act shall have effect—
with the substitution for the reference in subsection (1)(a) to Part III of that Act of a reference to this Part, and
with the omission of subsection (4) and of the reference to that subsection in subsection (6).
It is hereby declared that any exercise by the Authority of their powers under subsection (1) in respect of any failure to comply with any condition of a digital sound programme licence shall not preclude any exercise by the Authority of their powers under section 109 of the 1990 Act in respect of that failure.
In this Part “digital additional service” means any service which—
is provided by any person with a view to its being broadcast in digital form by means of a radio multiplex service, whether by him or by some other person, but
is not a digital sound programme service, a simulcast radio service, an ancillary service or a technical service.
In this Part “ancillary service” means any service which is provided by the holder of a digital sound programme licence or by an independent national broadcaster and consists in the provision of any service (other than advertising) which—
is ancillary to programmes included in a digital sound programme service or simulcast radio service provided by him and is directly related to their contents, or
relates to the promotion or listing of such programmes.
In this Part “technical service” means a service which—
is provided for technical purposes connected with the encryption or decryption of one or more digital sound programme services or digital additional services, and
is of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.
An order under subsection (3) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
An application for a licence to provide digital additional services (in this Part referred to as a “digital additional services licence”) shall—
be made in such manner as the Authority may determine, and
be accompanied by such fee (if any) as they may determine.
At any time after receiving such an application and before determining it, the Authority may require the applicant to furnish such additional information as they may consider necessary for the purpose of considering the application.
Any information to be furnished to the Authority under this section shall, if they so require, be in such form or verified in such manner as they may specify.
Where an application for a digital additional services licence is made to the Authority in accordance with the provisions of this section, they shall grant the licence unless precluded from doing so by section 42(2)(a) or 44(1).
Subject to the provisions of this Part and to section 111 of the 1990 Act as applied by section 66(10), a digital additional services licence shall continue in force until it is surrendered by its holder.
A digital additional services licence shall include such conditions as appear to the Authority to be appropriate for requiring the holder of the licence—
on entering into any agreement with the holder of a radio multiplex licence for the provision of digital additional services to be broadcast by means of a radio multiplex service, to notify the Authority—
of the identity of the radio multiplex service,
of the period during which the services will be provided, and
where under the agreement the holder of the digital additional services licence will be entitled to the use of a specified amount of digital capacity, of that amount,
when any such agreement is varied so far as it relates to any of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii) to notify the Authority of the variation so far as relating to those matters, and
where he is providing digital additional services to the holder of a radio multiplex licence in accordance with such an agreement as is mentioned in paragraph (a) but intends to cease doing so, to notify the Authority of that fact.
If the Authority are satisfied that the holder of a digital additional services licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—
a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Authority,
a notice providing that the licence is to expire on a specified date, which shall be at least one year from the date of service of the notice, or
a notice suspending the licence for a specified period not exceeding six months.
Subject to subsection (4), the amount of any financial penalty imposed in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) on the holder of a digital additional services licence shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
£50,000, and
the amount determined under subsection (3).
The amount referred to in subsection (2)(b) is—
in a case where a penalty under this section has not previously been imposed on the holder of the digital additional services licence during any period for which his licence has been in force, 3 per cent. of the aggregate amount of the shares of multiplex revenue attributable to him in relation to national radio multiplex services in respect of relevant accounting periods (as determined in accordance with section 57), and
in any other case, 5 per cent. of the aggregate amount of those shares of multiplex revenue (as so determined).
Where the holder of a digital additional services licence has not provided any digital additional services for broadcasting by means of a national radio multiplex service, the amount of any penalty imposed on him under subsection (1)(a) shall not exceed £50,000.
In subsection (3) “relevant accounting period”, in relation to a national radio multiplex service, means the last accounting period of the holder of the national radio multiplex licence.
Where, in the case of any national radio multiplex service, the first accounting period of the holder of the national radio multiplex licence throughout which the holder of the digital additional services licence provides a digital additional service for broadcasting by means of the radio multiplex service (“the first period”) has not yet ended, then for the purposes of subsection (3) the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the holder of the digital additional services licence in relation to that radio multiplex service for the relevant accounting period shall be taken to be the amount which the Authority estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for the first period.
The Authority shall not serve on any person any notice under subsection (1) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.
Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), the Authority may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.
Where the Authority serve a notice on a BBC company under any provision of this section, they shall send a copy of the notice to the Secretary of State.
Subject to subsections (11) and (12), section 109 (power to require scripts etc. or broadcasting of correction or apology or not to repeat programme) and section 111 (power to revoke licences) of the 1990 Act shall apply in relation to a digital additional services licence as they apply in relation to a licence under Chapter II of Part III of the 1990 Act.
In its application in relation to a digital additional services licence, section 109(1) of the 1990 Act shall have effect with the substitution for the reference to a direction under Part III of that Act of a reference to a direction under this Part.
In its application in relation to a digital additional services licence, section 111 of the 1990 Act shall have effect—
with the substitution for the reference in subsection (1)(a) to Part III of that Act of a reference to this Part, and
with the omission of subsection (4) and of the reference to that subsection in subsection (6).
It is hereby declared that any exercise by the Authority of their powers under subsection (1) in respect of any failure to comply with any condition of a digital additional services licence shall not preclude any exercise by the Authority of their powers under section 109 of the 1990 Act in respect of that failure.
For the purpose of considering for how long it would be appropriate for sound broadcasting services to continue to be provided in analogue form, the Secretary of State—
shall keep under review the extent of— and the likely future extent of such provision, such availability and such ownership or possession, and
the provision in the United Kingdom of radio multiplex services,
the availability in the United Kingdom of digital sound programme services and the availability there in digital form of national services (within the meaning of Part III of the 1990 Act) and the sound broadcasting services of the BBC, and
the ownership or possession in the United Kingdom of equipment capable of receiving the services referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) when broadcast or transmitted in digital form,
shall, on or before the fourth anniversary of the day on which the first national radio multiplex licence is granted under section 47, and at such time or times thereafter as he thinks fit, require the Authority and the BBC to report to him on the matters referred to in paragraph (a).
If the Authority or the BBC are required to submit a report under subsection (1)(b), they shall submit the report within twelve months of the date of the requirement.
Before making any report under this subsection (1)(b), the Authority shall consult— and the Authority shall include in their report a summary of representations made to them by the persons consulted.
the holders of all radio multiplex licences,
the holders of digital sound programme licences who are providing digital sound programme services which are being broadcast, and
such other persons providing services licensed by the Authority under this Part or Part III of the 1990 Act as the Authority think fit,
For the purpose mentioned in subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall, on requiring reports under subsection (1)(b), consult— in connection with the matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) and also, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, as to the likely effects on listeners of any sound broadcasting service ceasing to be broadcast in analogue form.
such persons appearing to him to represent listeners as he thinks fit, and
such other persons as he thinks fit,
In this section “sound broadcasting service” has the same meaning as in Part III of the 1990 Act.
Any national radio multiplex licence or national digital sound programme licence shall include conditions requiring the licence holder—
to make arrangements for promoting, in relation to employment by him, equality of opportunity between men and women and between persons of different racial groups,
to make arrangements for promoting, in relation to employment by him, the fair treatment of disabled persons, and
to review those arrangements from time to time.
In subsection (1) “racial group” has the same meaning as in the Race Relations Act 1976, and “disabled person” has the same meaning as in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
The Secretary of State may by order amend any of the provisions specified in subsection (2) by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there.
The provisions referred to in subsection (1) are— section 53(5)(a) and (b)(i); section 59(2)(a) and (4); section 62(2)(a) and (6); and section 66(2)(a) and (4).
An order under subsection (1) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Part II of Schedule 1 (which contains provisions relating to the computation of multiplex revenue for the purposes of this Part) shall have effect.
Where the Authority receive in respect of any licence any of the amounts specified in subsection (2), that amount shall not form part of the revenues of the Authority but shall—
if the licence is for the provision of a service for any area or locality in Great Britain, be paid into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom,
if the licence is for the provision of a service for any area or locality in Northern Ireland, be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland, or
in any other case, be paid into whichever of those Funds the Authority consider appropriate or into both of those Funds in such proportions as the Authority consider appropriate.
The amounts referred to in subsection (1) are amounts payable by virtue of any of the following provisions— section 53(5); section 55(1); section 59(1); section 62(1); section 66(1).
Subsection (1) shall not be construed as applying to any amount which is required by the Authority for the making of an adjustment in respect of an overpayment made by any person.
Any amount payable by any person to the Authority under or by virtue of this Part shall be recoverable by them as a debt due to them from that person; and, where any amount is so payable by a person as the holder of any licence under this Part, his liability to pay it shall not be affected by his licence ceasing (for any reason) to be in force.
The Authority shall, in respect of each financial year, prepare an account showing— and shall send that account to the Comptroller and Auditor General not later than the end of the month of November following the financial year to which it relates; and the Comptroller and Auditor General shall examine, certify and report on the account and lay copies of it, together with his report, before each House of Parliament.
all such amounts falling within subsection (1) as have been received by them, and
the sums paid into the Consolidated Funds of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland respectively under that subsection in respect of those amounts,
In this Part (unless the context otherwise requires)—
“digital additional service” has the meaning given by section 63(1), and “digital additional services licence” means a licence to provide such services;
Any reference in this Part to an area in the United Kingdom does not include an area which comprises or includes the whole of England; and nothing in this Part shall be read as precluding a local radio multiplex service from being provided for an area or locality that is to any extent comprised in the area or locality for which another local radio multiplex service is to be provided.
Where the person who is for the time being the holder of any licence (“the present licence holder”) is not the person to whom the licence was originally granted, any reference in this Part (however expressed) to the holder of the licence shall be construed, in relation to any time falling before the date when the present licence holder became the holder of it, as including a reference to a person who was previously the holder of the licence.
Schedule 2 (which makes amendments of the 1990 Act relating to restrictions on the holding of licences under that Act or under Part I or II) shall have effect.
With respect to the broadcasting of news programmes on and after 1st January 1998, section 31 of the 1990 Act (provision of news on Channels 3 and 5) is amended as follows.
In subsection (2)—
at the beginning there is inserted “For the purpose of securing the nationwide broadcast, by holders of regional Channel 3 licences (taken together), of news programmes which are able to compete effectively with other news programmes broadcast nationwide in the United Kingdom,”,
for “a nominated news provider” there is substituted “the appointed news provider”, and
in paragraph (b), for “the same nominated” there is substituted “the appointed”.
For subsection (3) there is substituted—
After section 31 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
The Independent Television Commission may not include in pursuance of section 31A of the 1990 Act any condition in a regional Channel 3 licence (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) which would require an appointment for the purposes of section 31(2) of that Act (as amended by this Act) to take effect before 1st January 1998.
Section 32 of the 1990 Act (nomination of bodies to provide news for regional Channel 3 services) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (5).
For subsections (1) to (6) there is substituted—
In subsection (9), paragraph (b) is omitted.
In subsection (12), for the words from “appearing”, where second occurring, onwards there is substituted which—
In subsection (13)—
in paragraph (b), after “section”, where second occurring, there is inserted “as eligible for appointment”, and
and
Subsections (2), (4) and (5) do not affect the application of section 32 of the 1990 Act before 1st January 1998 in relation to nomination for the purposes of section 31(2) of that Act as originally enacted.
After section 194 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to any agreement (within the meaning of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976) made for the purposes of the provision of news programmes by a nominated news provider under section 31(2) of the 1990 Act as originally enacted.
After section 21 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
Any regional Channel 3 licence (within the meaning of Part I of the 1990 Act) granted before the commencement of this section shall, as from that commencement, be taken to include the conditions referred to in section 21A(1)(a) and (b) of the 1990 Act.
Section 39 of the 1990 Act (networking arrangements between holders of regional Channel 3 licences) is amended as follows.
After subsection (9) there is inserted—
For subsection (10) there is substituted—
For section 61 of the 1990 Act there is substituted—
In section 62 of the 1990 Act for “sections 26 and 61” there is substituted “section 26”.
Subsections (1) and (2) shall not have effect in relation to payments for any year before 1998.
No payment shall be made to or by the Welsh Authority under subsection (3) or (4) of section 61 of the 1990 Act (as originally enacted) for the year 1997; and in this subsection “the Welsh Authority” has the same meaning as in the 1990 Act.
After section 61 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
The statement of accounts must deal separately with the public service fund referred to in section 61A of this Act and with the general fund referred to in subsection (5)(b) of that section.
Section 26 of the 1990 Act (revenue deficits of Channel Four Television Corporation to be funded by Channel 3 licensees) is amended as follows.
For subsection (2) there is substituted—
After subsection (9) there is inserted—
Section 27 of the 1990 Act (application of excess revenues of Channel Four Television Corporation) is amended as follows.
In subsection (1)—
in paragraph (a), for “one half” there is substituted “50 per cent.”, and
in paragraph (b), for “the other half” there is substituted “the remainder of the excess”.
In subsection (3)—
in paragraph (a), for “half” there is substituted “50 per cent.”, and
in paragraph (b), for “the other half” there is substituted “the remainder of that amount”.
After subsection (6) there is inserted—
In section 24 of the 1990 Act (Channel 4 to be provided as licensed service) after subsection (4) there is inserted—
Section 24(5)(b) of this Act shall not be taken to limit the Corporation’s power by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) to do such things and enter into such transactions as are incidental or conducive to the discharge of their functions under section 24(1) or (5)(a).
In section 57 of the 1990 Act (functions and duties of Welsh Authority) after subsection (1) there is inserted—
Section 57(1A)(b) of this Act shall not be taken to limit the Authority’s power by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) to do such things and enter into such transactions as are incidental or conducive to the discharge of their functions under section 57(1) or (1A)(a).
After section 42 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
After section 17 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
In section 51 of the 1990 Act (procedure to be followed by Commission in connection with consideration of applications for, and awarding of, licences to provide additional services), in subsection (3)—
for “section 17” there is substituted “sections 17 and 17A”, and
for “it applies” there is substituted “they apply”.
After section 76 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
Section 48 of the 1990 Act (additional services) is amended in paragraph (c) of subsection (3) by the addition after the words “their contents” of the words “or relate to the promotion or listing of such programmes”.
Section 45 of the 1990 Act (licensing etc. of non-domestic satellite services) is amended as follows.
In subsection (5), for “and” there is substituted “to”.
In subsection (6), for “shall instead be £50,000” there is substituted—shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
Subsections (8) and (9) are omitted.
After section 45 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
Section 47 of the 1990 Act (licensing etc. of licensable programme services) is amended as follows.
In subsection (8), for “and” there is substituted “to”.
In subsection (9), for “shall instead be £50,000” there is substituted—shall not exceed whichever is the greater of—
Subsections (11) and (12) are omitted.
After section 78 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
In Part III of Schedule 12 to the 1990 Act (transitional provisions relating to existing cable services), for paragraph 4 there is substituted—
After section 103 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
After section 106 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
After section 104 of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
In section 104 of the 1990 Act (applications for licences other than national licences), subsections (5) and (6)(a) shall cease to have effect.
Section 183 of the 1990 Act (financing of television programmes in Gaelic out of Gaelic Television Fund) is amended as mentioned in subsections (2) to (6).
In subsection (2), for “Gaelic Television Fund” there is substituted “Gaelic Broadcasting Fund”.
In subsection (3), for “Comataidh Telebhisein Gaidhlig (the Gaelic Television Committee)” there is substituted “Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig (the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee)”.
After subsection (3) there is inserted—.
In subsection (4), in each of paragraphs (a)(i) and (b), after “television” there is inserted “and sound”.
In subsection (6)—
after “will” there is inserted —; and
but
Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig
After section 111A of the 1990 Act there is inserted—
For the purposes of this Part, a listed event is a sporting or other event of national interest which is for the time being included in a list drawn up by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Part.
The Secretary of State shall not at any time draw up, revise or cease to maintain such a list as is mentioned in subsection (1) unless he has first consulted— and for the purposes of this subsection a relevant event is a sporting or other event of national interest which the Secretary of State proposes to include in, or omit from, the list.
the BBC,
the Welsh Authority,
the Commission, and
in relation to a relevant event, the person from whom the rights to televise that event may be acquired;
As soon as he has drawn up or revised such a list as is mentioned in subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall publish the list in such manner as he considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of—
the persons mentioned in subsection (2), and
every person who is the holder of a licence granted by the Commission under Part I of the 1990 Act or a digital programme licence granted by them under Part I of this Act.
In this section “national interest” includes interest within England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The addition of any relevant event to such a list as is mentioned in subsection (1) shall not affect—
the validity of any contract entered into before the date on which the Secretary of State consulted the persons mentioned in subsection (2) in relation to the proposed addition, or
the exercise of any rights acquired under such a contract.
The list drawn up by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 182 of the 1990 Act, as that list is in force immediately before the commencement of this section, shall be taken to have been drawn up for the purposes of this Part.
For the purposes of this Part television programme services shall be divided into two categories as follows—
such of the services specified in subsection (2) as are provided without any charge being made for the reception of programmes included in the service, and
all television programme services not for the time being falling within paragraph (a).
The services referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—
regional and national Channel 3 services,
Channel 4, and
the television broadcasting services provided by the BBC.
The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2) so as to remove any service from, or add any service to, the services specified in it.
An order under subsection (3) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Any contract entered into after the commencement of this section under which a television programme provider acquires rights to televise the whole or any part of a listed event live for reception in the United Kingdom, or in any area of the United Kingdom, shall be void so far as it purports, in relation to the whole or any part of the event or in relation to reception in the United Kingdom or any area of the United Kingdom, to grant those rights exclusively to any one television programme provider.
In this Part “television programme provider” means the BBC, the Welsh Authority or any person who is the holder of any licence under Part I of the 1990 Act or a digital programme licence under Part I of this Act.
For the purposes of this section rights to televise the whole or any part of an event live for reception in any area granted to a television programme provider are granted exclusively if the person granting them—
has not granted any such right to any other television programme provider, and
is precluded by the terms of the contract from doing so.
Any contract entered into after the commencement of this section shall be void so far as it purports to grant to a television programme provider rights to televise the whole or any part of a listed event live for reception in the United Kingdom, or any area of the United Kingdom, unless the contract complies with subsection (2).
A contract complies with this subsection if the terms of the contract allow the television programme provider to include the live coverage of the listed event—
only in a television programme service falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 98, or
only in a television programme service falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection.
A person providing a service falling within either of the categories set out in subsection (1) of section 98 (“the first service”) for reception in the United Kingdom or in any area of the United Kingdom shall not, without the previous consent of the Commission, include in that service live coverage of the whole or any part of a listed event unless—
another person, who is providing a service falling within the other category set out in that subsection (“the second service”), has acquired the right to include in the second service live coverage of the whole of the event or of that part of the event, and
the area for which the second service is provided consists of or includes the whole, or substantially the whole, of the area for which the first service is provided.
The Commission may revoke any consent given by them under subsection (1).
Failure to comply with subsection (1) shall not affect the validity of any contract.
Subsection (1) shall not have effect where the television programme provider providing the first service is exercising rights acquired before the commencement of this section.
If the Commission— they may require him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Commission.
are satisfied that the holder of a licence under Part I of the 1990 Act or a digital programme licence under Part I of this Act has failed to comply with subsection (1) of section 101, and
are not satisfied that in all the circumstances it would be unreasonable to expect him to have complied with that subsection,
If the Commission are satisfied that, in connection with an application for consent under subsection (1) of section 101, the holder of a licence under Part I of the 1990 Act or a digital programme licence under Part I of this Act has— they may require him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to the Commission.
provided them with information which was false in a material particular, or
withheld any material information with the intention of causing the Commission to be misled,
The amount of any financial penalty imposed on any person under subsection (1) or (2) shall not exceed the amount produced by multiplying the relevant consideration by the prescribed multiplier.
In subsection (3)—
“the relevant consideration” means an amount determined by the Commission as representing so much of any consideration paid by the person on whom the penalty is being imposed as is attributable to the acquisition of the rights to televise the event in question, and
“the prescribed multiplier” means such number as the Secretary of State may from time to time by order prescribe.
An order under subsection (4)(b) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Where the Commission receive any amount payable to them by virtue of subsection (1) or (2), that amount shall not form part of the revenues of the Commission but shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
Any amount payable by any person to the Commission by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) shall be recoverable by them as a debt due to them from that person.
If the Commission— they shall make a report on the matter to the Secretary of State.
are satisfied that a broadcasting body has failed to comply with subsection (1) of section 101, and
are not satisfied that in all the circumstances it would be unreasonable to expect the body to have complied with that subsection,
If the Commission are satisfied that, in connection with an application for consent under subsection (1) of section 101, a broadcasting body has— they shall make a report on the matter to the Secretary of State.
provided them with information which was false in a material particular, or
withheld any material information with the intention of causing the Commission to be misled,
In this section “broadcasting body” means the BBC or the Welsh Authority.
The Commission shall draw up, and may from time to time review, a code—
specifying the circumstances in which the televising of listed events generally, or of a particular listed event, is, or is not, to be treated as live for the purposes of this Part, and
giving guidance as to the matters which they will take into account in determining—
whether to give or revoke their consent under section 101(1), or
for the purposes of section 102(1) or 103(1), whether in all the circumstances it is unreasonable to expect a television programme provider to comply with section 101(1).
In exercising their powers under this Part, the Commission shall have regard to the provisions of the code.
Before drawing up or revising the code the Commission shall consult such persons as appear to the Commission to be appropriate.
As soon as the Commission have drawn up or revised such a code, the Commission shall publish the code in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of—
the BBC,
the Welsh Authority,
every person from whom the rights to televise a listed event may be acquired, and
every person who is the holder of a licence granted by the Commission under Part I of the 1990 Act or a digital programme licence granted by them under Part I of this Act.
In this Part (unless the context otherwise requires)—
“broadcasting body” means the BBC or the Welsh Authority;
in relation to any such unwarranted infringement of privacy as is so mentioned, means a person whose privacy was infringed;
Section 182 of the 1990 Act (certain events not to be shown on pay-per-view terms) shall cease to have effect.
There shall be a commission, to be known as the Broadcasting Standards Commission (in this Part referred to as “the BSC”).
The BSC shall consist of— but so that the total number of members does not exceed fifteen.
a chairman appointed by the Secretary of State,
a deputy chairman or two deputy chairmen so appointed, and
such number of other members appointed by the Secretary of State as he may from time to time determine,
Schedule 3 shall have effect with respect to the BSC.
It shall be the duty of the BSC to draw up, and from time to time review, a code giving guidance as to principles to be observed, and practices to be followed, in connection with the avoidance of—
unjust or unfair treatment in programmes to which this section applies, or
unwarranted infringement of privacy in, or in connection with the obtaining of material included in, such programmes.
It shall be the duty of each broadcasting or regulatory body, when drawing up or revising any code relating to principles and practice in connection with programmes, or in connection with the obtaining of material to be included in programmes, to reflect the general effect of so much of the code referred to in subsection (1) (as for the time being in force) as is relevant to the programmes in question.
The BSC shall from time to time publish the code (as for the time being in force).
Before drawing up or revising the code, the BSC shall consult—
each broadcasting or regulatory body, and
such other persons as appear to the BSC to be appropriate.
This section applies to—
any programme broadcast by the BBC,
any programme broadcast by the Welsh Authority or included in the service referred to in section 57(1A)(a) of the 1990 Act, and
any programme included in a licensed service.
It shall be the duty of the BSC to draw up, and from time to time review, a code giving guidance as to—
practices to be followed in connection with the portrayal of violence in programmes to which this section applies,
practices to be followed in connection with the portrayal of sexual conduct in such programmes, and
standards of taste and decency for such programmes generally.
It shall be the duty of each broadcasting or regulatory body, when drawing up or revising any code relating to standards and practice for programmes, to reflect the general effect of so much of the code referred to in subsection (1) (as for the time being in force) as is relevant to the programmes in question.
The BSC shall from time to time publish the code referred to in subsection (1) (as for the time being in force).
Before drawing up or revising the code the BSC shall consult—
each broadcasting or regulatory body, and
such other persons as appear to the BSC to be appropriate.
This section applies to—
any programme broadcast by the BBC,
any programme broadcast by the Welsh Authority or included in the service referred to in section 57(1A)(a) of the 1990 Act,
any programme included in a licensed service, and
any programme included in so much of a local delivery service licensed under Part II of the 1990 Act as is, by virtue of section 79(2) or (4) of that Act, treated for certain purposes as the provision of a service licensed under Part I of that Act.
The code drawn up by the Broadcasting Standards Council under section 152 of the 1990 Act, as that code is in force immediately before the commencement of this section, shall be taken to have been drawn up by the BSC under this section.
It shall be the duty of the BSC to monitor programmes to which section 108 applies with a view to enabling the BSC to make reports on the portrayal of violence and sexual conduct in, and the standards of taste and decency attained by, such programmes generally.
Subject to section 125(2), the BSC may make reports on the matters specified in subsection (1) on such occasions as they think fit; and any such report may include an assessment of either or both of the following, namely—
the attitudes of the public at large towards the portrayal of violence or sexual conduct in, or towards the standards of taste and decency attained by, programmes to which section 108 applies, and
any effects or potential effects on the attitudes or behaviour of particular categories of persons of the portrayal of violence or sexual conduct in such programmes or of any failure on the part of such programmes to attain standards of taste and decency.
The BSC may publish any report made by them in pursuance of subsection (1).
The BSC shall have the further duty of monitoring, so far as is reasonably practicable, all television and sound programmes which are transmitted or sent from outside the United Kingdom but are capable of being received there, with a view to ascertaining—
how violence and sexual conduct are portrayed in those programmes, and
the extent to which those programmes meet standards of taste and decency.
Subject to the provisions of this Part, it shall be the duty of the BSC to consider and adjudicate on complaints which are made to them in accordance with sections 111 and 114 and relate—
to unjust or unfair treatment in programmes to which section 107 applies, or
to unwarranted infringement of privacy in, or in connection with the obtaining of material included in, such programmes.
Subject to those provisions, it shall also be the duty of the BSC to consider, and make findings on, complaints which are made to them in accordance with sections 113 and 114 and relate—
to the portrayal of violence or sexual conduct in programmes to which section 108 applies, or
to alleged failures on the part of such programmes to attain standards of taste and decency.
In exercising their functions under subsection (1), the BSC shall take into account any relevant provisions of the code maintained by them under section 107; and in exercising their functions under subsection (2) they shall take into account any relevant provisions of the code maintained by them under section 108.
In this Part—
“participant”, in relation to a programme, means a person who appeared, or whose voice was heard, in the programme;
“a standards complaint” means a complaint to the BSC in respect of any of the matters referred to in subsection (2)(a) and (b).
A fairness complaint may be made by an individual or by a body of persons, whether incorporated or not, but, subject to subsection (2), shall not be entertained by the BSC unless made by the person affected or by a person authorised by him to make the complaint for him.
Where the person affected is an individual who has died, a fairness complaint may be made by his personal representative or by a member of the family of the person affected, or by some other person or body closely connected with him (whether as his employer, or as a body of which he was at his death a member, or in any other way).
Where the person affected is an individual who is for any reason both unable to make a complaint himself and unable to authorise another person to do so for him, a fairness complaint may be made by a member of the family of the person affected, or by some other person or body closely connected with him (whether as his employer, or as a body of which he is a member, or in any other way).
The BSC shall not entertain, or proceed with the consideration of, a fairness complaint if it appears to them that the complaint relates to the broadcasting of the relevant programme, or to its inclusion in a licensed service, on an occasion more than five years after the death of the person affected, unless it appears to them that in the particular circumstances it is appropriate to do so.
The BSC may refuse to entertain a fairness complaint if it appears to them not to have been made within a reasonable time after the last occasion on which the relevant programme was broadcast or, as the case may be, included in a licensed service.
Where, in the case of a fairness complaint, the relevant programme was broadcast or included in a licensed service after the death of the person affected, subsection (5) shall apply as if at the end there were added “within five years (or such longer period as may be allowed by the BSC in the particular case under subsection (4)) after the death of the person affected”.
The BSC may refuse to entertain—
a fairness complaint which is a complaint of unjust or unfair treatment if the person named as the person affected was not himself the subject of the treatment complained of and it appears to the BSC that he did not have a sufficiently direct interest in the subject-matter of that treatment to justify the making of a complaint with him as the person affected, or
a complaint made under subsection (2) or (3) by a person other than the person affected or a person authorised by him, if it appears to the BSC that the complainant’s connection with the person affected is not sufficiently close to justify the making of the complaint by him.
The BSC shall appoint a committee, consisting of members of the BSC, to discharge the functions of the BSC in relation to the consideration of fairness complaints.
The BSC shall not entertain a standards complaint which is made— unless it appears to them that in the particular circumstances it is appropriate for them to do so.
where the relevant programme is a television programme, more than two months after the relevant date, or
where the relevant programme is a sound programme, more than three weeks after that date,
In subsection (1) “the relevant date” means—
the date on which the relevant programme was broadcast by a broadcasting body or included in a licensed service, or
where it has been so broadcast or included on more than one occasion, the date on which it was last so broadcast or included.
Where, apart from this subsection, there would fall to be considered by the BSC two or more standards complaints which appear to them to raise the same, or substantially the same, issue or issues in relation to a particular programme, the BSC may determine that those complaints shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as constituting a single complaint.
A fairness complaint or a standards complaint must be in writing, or in such other form as the BSC may allow, and must give particulars of the matters complained of.
The BSC shall not entertain, or proceed with the consideration of, a fairness complaint or a standards complaint if it appears to them—
that the matter complained of is the subject of proceedings in a court of law in the United Kingdom, or
that the matter complained of is a matter in respect of which the complainant or, in the case of a fairness complaint, the person affected has a remedy by way of proceedings in a court of law in the United Kingdom, and that in the particular circumstances it is not appropriate for the BSC to consider a complaint about it, or
that the complaint is frivolous, or
that for any other reason it is inappropriate for them to entertain, or proceed with the consideration of, the complaint.
Subject to the provisions of sections 111 and 114, every fairness complaint made to the BSC shall be considered by them either at a hearing or, if they think fit, without a hearing.
Hearings under this section shall be held in private; and where such a hearing is held in respect of a fairness complaint, each of the following persons shall be given an opportunity to attend and be heard, namely—
the complainant,
the relevant person,
where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, the appropriate regulatory body,
any person not falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) who appears to the BSC to have been responsible for the making or provision of that programme, and
any other person who the BSC consider might be able to assist at the hearing.
Before the BSC proceed to consider a fairness complaint they shall send a copy of it—
to the relevant person, and
where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, to the appropriate regulatory body.
Where the relevant person receives from the BSC a copy of the complaint, it shall be the duty of that person, if so required by the BSC—
to provide the BSC with a visual or sound recording of the relevant programme or of any specified part of it, if and so far as the relevant person has such a recording in his possession;
to make suitable arrangements for enabling the complainant to view or hear the relevant programme, or any specified part of it, if and so far as the relevant person has in his possession a visual or sound recording of it;
to provide the BSC and the complainant with a transcript of so much of the relevant programme, or of any specified part of it, as consisted of speech, if and so far as the relevant person is able to do so;
to provide the BSC and the complainant with copies of any documents in the possession of the relevant person, being the originals or copies of any correspondence between that person and the person affected or the complainant in connection with the complaint;
to furnish to the BSC and the complainant a written statement in answer to the complaint.
Where the relevant person receives from the BSC a copy of a fairness complaint, it shall also be the duty of that person, if so required by the BSC—
where the relevant person is a broadcasting body, to arrange for one or more of the governors, members or employees of the body to attend the BSC and assist them in their consideration of the complaint, or
where the relevant person is a body other than a broadcasting body, to arrange for one or more of the following, namely— to attend the BSC and assist them in their consideration of the complaint, or
the persons who take part in the management or control of the body, or
the employees of the body,
where the relevant person is an individual, to attend, or to arrange for one or more of his employees to attend, the BSC and assist them in their consideration of the complaint.
Where the relevant person receives from the BSC a copy of a fairness complaint and, in connection with the complaint, the BSC make to any other person a request to which this subsection applies, it shall be the duty of the relevant person to take such steps as he reasonably can to ensure that the request is complied with.
Subsection (6) applies to the following requests by the BSC to any such other person as is there mentioned, namely—
a request to make suitable arrangements for enabling the complainant and any member or employee of the BSC to view or hear the relevant programme, or any specified part of it, if and so far as the person requested has in his possession a visual or sound recording of it;
a request to provide the BSC and the complainant with a transcript of so much of the relevant programme, or of any specified part of it, as consisted of speech, if and so far as the person requested is able to do so;
a request to provide the BSC and the complainant with copies of any documents in the possession of the person requested, being the originals or copies of any correspondence between that person and the person affected or the complainant in connection with the complaint;
a request to furnish to the BSC and the complainant a written statement in answer to the complaint;
a request to attend, or (where the person requested is not an individual) to arrange for a representative to attend, the BSC and assist them in their consideration of the complaint.
Where the BSC have adjudicated on a fairness complaint, they shall send a statement of their findings to the complainant.
In this section “the relevant person” means—
in a case where the relevant programme was broadcast by a broadcasting body, that body, and
in a case where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, the licence holder providing the service.
Subject to the provisions of sections 113 and 114, every standards complaint made to the BSC shall be considered by them either without a hearing or, if they think fit, at a hearing (and any such hearing shall be held in private unless the BSC decide otherwise).
Where a hearing is held in respect of a standards complaint, each of the following persons shall be given an opportunity to attend and be heard, namely—
the complainant,
the relevant person,
where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, the appropriate regulatory body,
any person not within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) who appears to the BSC to have been responsible for the making or provision of that programme, and
any other person who the BSC consider might be able to assist at the hearing.
In a case where the BSC have made a determination in respect of any complaints under subsection (3) of section 113, subsection (2)(a) shall be construed as referring to such one or more of the persons who made those complaints as the BSC may determine.
Before the BSC proceed to consider a standards complaint they shall send a copy of it—
to the relevant person, and
where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, to the appropriate regulatory body.
Where the relevant person receives from the BSC a copy of the complaint, it shall be the duty of that person, if so required by the BSC—
to provide the BSC with a visual or sound recording of the relevant programme or any specified part of it, if and so far as he has such a recording in his possession;
to provide the BSC with a transcript of so much of the relevant programme, or of any specified part of it, as consisted of speech, if and so far as he is able to do so;
to provide the BSC with copies of any documents in his possession, being the originals or copies of any correspondence between him and the complainant in connection with the complaint;
to furnish to the BSC a written statement in answer to the complaint.
In this section—
“local delivery service” has the meaning given by section 72 of the 1990 Act;
For the purposes of sections 115 and 116 of this Act and of section 167 of the 1990 Act (power to make copies of recordings in connection with certain offences) it shall be the duty of each broadcasting body to retain a recording of every television or sound programme which is broadcast by that body—
where it is of a television programme, during the period of 90 days beginning with the day of the broadcast, and
where it is of a sound programme, during the period of 42 days beginning with the day of the broadcast.
The BSC may, if they think fit, make to any person who attends them in connection with a fairness complaint or a standards complaint such payments as they think fit by way of travelling allowance or subsistence allowance where expenditure on travelling or, as the case may be, on subsistence is necessarily incurred by him for the purpose of enabling him so to attend.
Where the BSC have— they may give directions of the kind specified in subsection (2).
considered and adjudicated upon a fairness complaint, or
considered and made their findings on a standards complaint,
Those directions are—
where the relevant programme was broadcast by a broadcasting body, directions requiring that body to publish the matters mentioned in subsection (3) in such manner, and within such period, as may be specified in the directions, and
where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, directions requiring the appropriate regulatory body to direct the licence holder to publish those matters in such manner, and within such period, as may be so specified.
Those matters are—
a summary of the complaint;
the BSC’s findings on the complaint or a summary of them;
in the case of a standards complaint, any observations by the BSC on the complaint or a summary of any such observations.
References in subsection (2) to the publication of any matter are references to the publication of that matter without its being accompanied by any observations made by a person other than the BSC and relating to the complaint.
The form and content of any such summary as is mentioned in subsection (3)(a), (b) or (c) shall be such as may be approved by the BSC.
A broadcasting or regulatory body shall comply with any directions given to them under this section.
Any licence to provide a licensed service which is granted by a regulatory body under this Act shall include conditions requiring the licence holder to comply with such directions as may be given to him by that body for the purpose of enabling them to comply with any directions given to them under this section.
The BSC shall publish, monthly or at such other intervals as they think fit and in such manner as they think fit, reports each containing, as regards every fairness complaint or standards complaint which falls within this subsection and has been dealt with by them in the period covered by the report—
a summary of the complaint and the action taken by them on it,
where they have adjudicated on it, a summary of—
their findings,
any direction given under subsection (1), or other action taken by them, in relation to the complaint, and
where a direction has been given under subsection (1) in relation to the complaint, a summary of any action taken by a broadcasting body, a regulatory body or the holder of a licence to provide a licensed service in pursuance of the direction.
A fairness complaint or standards complaint made to the BSC falls within subsection (8) unless it is one which under section 111(1), (4) or (5), 113(1) or 114(2) they have refused to entertain.
The BSC may, if they think fit, omit from any summary which is included in a report under subsection (8) and relates to a fairness complaint any information which could lead to the disclosure of the identity of any person connected with the complaint in question other than—
a broadcasting or regulatory body, or
a person providing a licensed service.
The references in subsections (3)(b) and (8)(b) to the BSC’s findings on a complaint shall be construed, in relation to a fairness complaint which has been considered by them in two or more parts, as references to their findings on each part of the complaint.
In this section “licensed service”, in relation to a programme to which a standards complaint relates, has the extended meaning given by section 116(6).
This section applies where the BSC have given a direction under section 119(1) in relation to a fairness complaint or a standards complaint.
Where the relevant programme was included in a licensed service, the appropriate regulatory body shall send to the BSC a report of any supplementary action taken by—
the regulatory body,
the licence holder, or
any other person appearing to the regulatory body to be responsible for the making or provision of the relevant programme.
Where the relevant programme was broadcast by a broadcasting body, that body shall send to the BSC a report of any supplementary action taken by—
the broadcasting body, or
any other person appearing to that body to be responsible for the making or provision of the relevant programme.
The BSC may include, in any report under section 119(8), a summary of any report received by them under subsection (2) or (3) in relation to the complaint.
In this section “supplementary action”, in relation to a complaint, means action which, although not taken in pursuance of a direction under section 119(1), is taken in consequence of the findings of the BSC on the complaint.
For the purposes of the law relating to defamation— is privileged unless the publication is shown to be made with malice.
publication of any statement in the course of the consideration by the BSC of, and their adjudication on, a fairness complaint,
publication by the BSC of directions under section 119(1) relating to a fairness complaint, or
publication of a report of the BSC, so far as the report relates to fairness complaints,
Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as limiting any privilege subsisting apart from that subsection.
The BSC may make arrangements for the undertaking of research into matters related to or connected with—
the avoidance of unjust or unfair treatment in programmes to which section 107 applies and of unwarranted infringement of privacy in, or in connection with the obtaining of material included in, such programmes,
the portrayal of violence or sexual conduct in programmes to which section 108 applies, or
standards of taste and decency for such programmes generally.
The matters into which research may be undertaken in pursuance of subsection (1) include, in particular, matters falling within section 109(2)(a) and (b).
Arrangements made under subsection (1) shall secure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, any research undertaken in pursuance of the arrangements is undertaken by persons who are neither members nor employees of the BSC.
The BSC may publish the results of any research undertaken in pursuance of subsection (1).
The functions of the BSC shall include representing Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, at the request of the Secretary of State, on international bodies concerned with setting standards for television programmes.
It shall be the duty of each broadcasting or regulatory body to arrange for the publication (by means of broadcasts or otherwise) of regular announcements publicising the BSC.
Any such announcements may contain a statement of the difference between fairness complaints and standards complaints.
Any licence to provide a licensed service which is granted by a regulatory body under the 1990 Act or under this Act shall include conditions requiring the licence holder to comply with such directions as may be given to him by that body in connection with the performance by them of their duty under subsection (1).
In this section “licensed service” has the extended meaning given by section 116(6).
As soon as possible after the end of every financial year the BSC shall prepare a report of their proceedings during that year, and transmit it to the Secretary of State who shall lay copies of it before each House of Parliament.
The report shall include a report by the BSC on the matters specified in section 109(1).
If the Secretary of State so directs, the report shall also include such further information relating to the BSC as he may specify in the direction.
The report may also include a report on any issues of the kind referred to in section 126.
The BSC shall send a copy of the report, together with a copy of the statement of accounts for the year and of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on that statement—
to each broadcasting or regulatory body, and
if so requested by any person providing a licensed service, to that person.
In this section “licensed service” has the extended meaning given by section 116(6).
The BSC may from time to time make a report to the Secretary of State on any issues identified by them in the course of carrying out their functions under this Part and appearing to them to raise questions of general broadcasting policy.
For the financial year which includes the commencement of this section and each subsequent financial year the Secretary of State shall, subject to subsection (2), notify—
to each regulatory body the sum which he considers to be the appropriate contribution of that body, in respect of persons providing licensed services under licences granted by that body, towards the expenses of the BSC; and
to the Welsh Authority the sum which he considers to be the appropriate contribution of that body towards such expenses.
The total of the sums notified under subsection (1) for any financial year must be such that the aggregate of— represents one half of those expenses.
that total, and
the amount of any contribution towards the expenses of the BSC for that year which is received, or to be received, by the Secretary of State from the BBC,
Each regulatory body and the Welsh Authority shall pay to the Secretary of State any sum notified to them under subsection (1).
In this section “the existing boards” means the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Council.
On such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint as the transfer date all the property, rights and liabilities to which either of the existing boards were entitled or subject immediately before that date shall become property, rights and liabilities of the BSC; and Schedule 4 shall have effect for the purpose of supplementing this and the following provisions of this section.
Each of the existing boards shall continue in existence after the transfer date until such time as they are respectively dissolved by order made by the Secretary of State.
On the transfer date the chairman and members of the existing boards shall cease to hold office; and as from that date each of the existing boards—
shall consist only of a chairman appointed by the Secretary of State and, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, such one or more other persons as the Secretary of State may appoint as members, and
shall have only the functions which fall to be carried out by them under or by virtue of Schedule 4.
If requested to do so by the chairman appointed under subsection (4)(a) to either of the existing boards, the BSC shall furnish that existing board with any assistance required by them for the purposes of carrying out any of those functions.
The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (3) in relation to either of the existing boards unless he is satisfied, after consultation with that existing board and the BSC, that nothing further remains to be done by that existing board under or by virtue of Schedule 4.
References in this section and Schedule 4 to property, rights and liabilities of either of the existing boards include references to property, rights and liabilities which are not capable of being transferred or assigned by them.
This Part shall have effect in relation to— as if the complaint had been made to the BSC under this Part, and anything done by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission or, as the case requires, the Broadcasting Standards Council in relation to the complaint before the transfer date had been done by the BSC.
any complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission under section 144 of the 1990 Act made but not disposed of by them before the transfer date, or
any complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Council under section 154 of that Act made but not disposed of by them before that date,
In subsection (1) “the transfer date” means the date appointed under section 128(2).
In this Part (unless the context otherwise requires)—
“the person affected”—
In this Part—
any reference to programmes to which section 107 applies shall be construed in accordance with section 107(5), and
any reference to programmes to which section 108 applies shall be construed in accordance with section 108(5).