Ofcom review of proposed BBC Scotland television channel

TV, radio and on-demand BBC Consultations and statements

Published: 20 April 2018

Consultation closes: 18 May 2018

Status: Closed (pending statement)

Update 26 June 2018: Publication of final decision

Ofcom has today published a statement setting out our final decision (PDF, 362.8 KB) to approve the launch of a new BBC television channel for audiences in Scotland.

The BBC published detailed proposals for a BBC Scotland channel in November 2017. We announced in January that we would undertake a competition assessment to examine whether the public value offered by a new BBC channel would justify any potential adverse impact on fair and effective competition.

On 20 April 2018, we published our provisional determination (PDF, 712.0 KB) that the BBC may carry out the proposal and invited stakeholders to comment on our findings.

Following a period of consultation, we have now confirmed our provisional decision and the BBC is free to proceed with the launch of BBC Scotland.

Update 20 April 2018: Publication of consultation and provisional decision

Ofcom has today published a consultation about our provisional decision to approve the launch of a new BBC television channel for audiences in Scotland.

Following a careful review of the BBC’s plans and research with viewers in Scotland, our provisional decision is that the BBC may proceed with the launch of the new channel.

We are now seeking views from interested or affected organisations and individuals on our provisional decision. The closing date for submissions is 18 May 2018.

We intend to publish our final decision on whether the BBC may proceed with the launch of the channel by July 2018.

Update 15 March 2018: BBC announces HD change

The BBC has written to Ofcom (PDF, 210.2 KB) amending its proposal for a new TV channel for Scotland to include the launch of a High Definition (HD) simulcast. As the BBC has now revised its proposal, we will need to consider the implications of the change (PDF, 137.5 KB) for our ongoing Competition Assessment.

Update 11 January 2018: Letter concluding initial assessment

Ofcom has today published the findings of our initial assessment (PDF, 180.6 KB) of the BBC’s proposals to launch a new television channel for Scotland.

We have found that the BBC’s proposals amount to a material change of the BBC’s public services, which warrants a further competition assessment.

This assessment will consider whether the public value offered by a new BBC channel would justify any potential adverse effects on fair and effective competition. It will include research with viewers in Scotland, as well as economic analysis.

We expect to publish and consult on our emerging conclusions before the end of April. We will complete the review, and publish our decision on whether the BBC may proceed with the launch of the channel, by July.

Project Timetable (* dates tbc)

Date	Action
30 November 2017	Publication of BBC’s Public Interest Test on proposed TV channel for Scotland. Launch of Ofcom’s initial assessment. Publication of Invitation to comment (PDF, 659.1 KB).
14 December 2017	Deadline for responses to Invitation to comment.
11 January 2018	Conclusion of our initial assessment (PDF, 180.6 KB), including whether to initiate a detailed assessment. Launch of any detailed assessment.
15 March 2018	Announcement of change to the BBC's proposal.
20 April 2018	Publication of consultation and provisional decision (PDF, 712.0 KB).
26 June 2018	Publication of final decision (PDF, 362.8 KB).

30 November 2017

The BBC has published its proposal to launch a new television channel for Scotland. Ofcom is examining the proposal to identify any possible adverse effects on competition and decide whether they are justified in light of the potential public value which the proposed new channel may deliver.

From time to time, the BBC looks to make changes to its television channels, radio stations and online services to ensure it continues to fulfil its mission and meets the needs of audiences across the UK.

Some changes can be considered minor, for example day-to-day editorial decisions about individual programmes or their scheduling. However, as a large publicly funded organisation, other changes the BBC might wish to make could have a significant impact on competition in the wider media market.

Some of that impact may be positive. The BBC may enhance public value and encourage competition by offering more choice, stimulating demand or promoting innovation to the benefit of UK citizens and consumers.

However, there is also the potential that some changes the BBC proposes may harm competition, for example by crowding out investment from third parties, with ultimately negative consequences for audiences.

Ùrachadh 26 Ògmhios 2018: Foillseachadh a’ Cho-dhùnaidh dheireannaich

Tha Ofcom an-diugh air aithris fhoillseachadh a’ cur an cèill ar co-dhùnadh deireannach (PDF, 138.8 KB) ann a bhith a’ moladh seanail telebhisean BBC ùr a chur air bhog airson luchd-amhairc ann an Alba.

Dh’fhoillsich am BBC molaidhean mionaideach airson seanail BBC Scotland san t-Samhain 2017. Dh’ainmich sinn san Fhaoilleach gun gabhadh sinn os làimh measadh air farpais gus sgrùdadh a dhèanamh am biodh an luach phoblach a dheigheadh a thabhann le seanail ùr BBC a’ fìreanachadh droch bhuaidh sam bith a dh’fhaodadh a bhith aig an t-seanail air farpais chothromach agus èifeachdach.

Air 20 Giblean 2018, dh’fhoillsich sinn ar barail sealach (PDF, 91.3 KB) gum faodadh am BBC leantainn aiir leis a’ mholadh agus thug sinn cuireadh do luchd-ùidh beachdan a thoirt air na fhuair sinn a-mach.

An dèidh àm co-chomhairleachaidh, tha sinn a-nis air ar barail shealach a dhaingneachadh agus tha am BBC ceadaichte leantainn air a’ cur BBC Scotland air chois.

Ùrachadh 20 Giblean 2018: Foillseachadh co-chomhairleachadh agus co-dhùnadh sealadach

Tha Ofcom air co-chomhairleachadh (PDF, 91.3 KB) fhoillseachadh an-diugh mu ar co-dhùnadh sealadach aontachadh ri bhith a’ cur air chois seanail telebhisean ùr BBC airson luchd-amhairc ann an Alba.

Dh’fhoillsich am BBC molaidhean mionaideach airson seanail telebhisean ùr BBC Scotland san t-Samhain 2017. Dh’ainmich sinn san Fhaoilleach gun coileanadh sinn measadh air farpais gus sgrùdadh a dhèanamh am biodh an luach phoblach a bhiodh an seanail telebhisean ùr BBC a’ tabhann, a’ fìreanachadh droch bhuaidh a dh’fhaodadh a bhith aig seo air farpais chothromach is èifeachdach.

An dèidh lèirmheas sgrùdail a dhèanamh air planaichean a’ BhBC agus rannsachadh an lùib luchd-amhairc ann an Alba, is e ar co-dhùnadh sealadach gum faod am BBC leantainn air adhart a’ cur an t-seanail ùir air chois.

Tha sinn a-nis a’ sireadh bheachdan air a’ cho-dhùnadh shealadach bho bhuidhnean agus dhaoine aig a bheil ùidh ann an seo no air am faodadh seo buaidh a thoirt. Is e ceann-là dùnaidh nan tagraidhean 18 Cèitean 2018.

Tha sinn am beachd foillseachadh ar co-dhùnadh deireannach a thaobh am faod am BBC leantainn air adhart a’ cur an t-seanail air chois mun Iuchair 2018.

Ùrachadh 15 Màrt 2018: Am BBC ag ainmeachadh atharrachadh HD

Tha am BBC air sgrìobhadh gu Ofcom (PDF, 210.2 KB) ag atharrachadh a mholadh seanail TBh ùr a chur air chois ann an Alba gu bhith a’ gabhail a-steach simulcast de dh’Àrd Dheifinisean (HD). Seach gu bheil am BBC a-nis air a mholadh atharrachadh feumaidh sinn beachdachadh air buaidh an atharrachaidh (PDF, 140.4 KB) air ar Measadh Farpais a tha a’ leantainn air adhart.

Ùrachadh 11 Faoilleach 2018: Co-dhùnadh tus-mheasaidh an t-seanail telebhisein BBC Scotland a tha air a mholadh

Tha Ofcom an-diugh air foillseachadh na chaidh fhaighinn a-mach bhon tùs-mheasaidh a rinn sinn air molaidhean a’ BhBC seanail telebhisein ùr a chur air chois airson Alba (PDF, 186.6 KB).

Tha sinn air faighinn a-mach gum biodh molaidhean a’ BhBC mar atharrachadh susbainteach de sheirbheisean poblach a’ BhBC, agus gu feumar tuilleadh measaidh a dhèanamh a thaobh farpais.

Beachdaichidh am measadh seo am biodh an luach phoblach a dheigheadh a thabhann le seanail ùr BBC a’ fìreanachadh droch bhuaidh sam bith a dh’fhaodadh a bhith air farpais chothromach is èifeachdach. Gabhaidh e a-steach rannsachadh a thaobh luchd-amhairc ann an Alba, cho math ri sgrùdadh eaconamach.

Tha sinn a’ sùileachadh a bhith a’ foillseachadh is a’ comhairleachadh mu ar coileanaidhean ro dheireadh a’ Ghiblein. Bheir sinn an lèirmheas gu crìoch, agus foillsichidh sinn ar co-dhùnadh am faod am BBC leantainn air adhart a’ cur an t-seanail air chois, mun Iuchar.

Clàr-ama a’ Phròiseact (* cinn-là tbc)

Ceann-là	Gnìomh
30 Samhain 2017	Foillseachadh Deuchainn Ùidh Phoblach a’ BhBC mun t-seanail TBh a tha air a mholadh airson Alba. Cur air bhog tùs mheasadh Ofcom. Foillseachadh den Chuireadh airson beachd (PDF, 825.3 KB).
14 Dùbhlachd 2017	Ceann-là airson freagairtean ris a’ Chuireadh airson beachd.
11 Faoilleach 2018	Co-dhùnadh den tùs mheasadh (PDF, 186.6 KB), a’ gabhail a-steach a bheilear a’ dol air adhart airson measadh nas mionaidich.
15 Màrt 2018	Fios mu atharrachadh air moladh a’ BhBC.
20 Giblean 2018	Foillseachadh co-chomhairleachadh agus co-dhùnadh sealadach (PDF, 91.3 KB).
26 Ògmhios 2018	Foillseachadh den cho-chomhairleachadh dheireannach. (PDF, 138.8 KB)

30 Samhain 2017

Tha am BBC air foillseachadh a mholadh, seanail ùr telebhisean a chur air bhog airson Alba. Feumaidh Ofcom a-nis am moladh a sgrùdadh, a’ comharrachadh droch bhuaidh sam bith a thaobh farpais agus a thighinn gu co-dhùnadh a bheil iad air am fìreanachadh a thaobh luach poblach a dh’fhaodadh an seanail ùr a thathar a’moladh, a lìbhrigeadh.

Bho àm gu àm, bidh am BBC a’ coimhead ri atharrachaidhean a dhèanamh air na seanailean telebhisean aige, air na stèiseanan rèidio agus air seirbheisean air-loidhne gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil e a’ coileanadh a mhisean agus a’ coinneachadh ri feumalachdan luchd-amais air feadh na RA.

Tha cuid de dh’atharrachaidhean a dh’fhaodadh a bhith air am meas beag, mar eisimpleir co-dhùnaidhean deasachaidh bho là gu là mu phrògraman fa-leth no an àm a bhios iad air a’ chlàr-ama. Ach, mar bhuidheann mhòr a tha a’ faighinn maoineachadh poblach, dh’fhaodadh atharrachaidhean eile a bhios am BBC airson a dhèanamh buaidh mhòr a thoirt air farpais ann am margaidh nam meadhanan san fharsaingeachd.

Dh’fhaodadh cuid den bhuaidh sin a bhith posataibh. Dh’fhaodadh am BBC cur ri luach phoblach agus farpais a bhrosnachadh le bhith a’ tabhann barrachd roghainn, a’ brosnachadh iarrtas no ag àrdachadh ùr-ghnàthachas a chum buannachd saoranaich na RA agus luchd-cleachdaidh.

Ach, tha an comas ann gu faodadh cuid de na h-atharrachaidhean a tha am BBC a’ moladh farpais a mhilleadh, mar eisimpleir le bhith a’ dubhadh a-mach maoineachadh bho threas phàrtaidhean, le aig a’ cheann thall droch bhuaidh air luchd-amais.