Statement published 25 November 2021
Today we have approved the relaunch of BBC Three as a broadcast channel. This document sets out our decision that the BBC Three broadcast channel should be located within the first 24 slots of Electronic Programme Guides (‘EPGs’) including those on Sky, Virgin Media O2, Freeview and Freesat.
Ofcom has a duty to draw up, review and revise a Code of Practice (the EPG Code (PDF, 233.7 KB)) for licensed providers of on-screen television guides – known as EPGs. This secures, among other things, such a degree of prominence as Ofcom considers appropriate for the public service channels (the ‘designated channels’) – including BBC channels – to ensure they are easy to find and watch. Following a recent review, a new EPG Code came into effect in January 2021.
BBC Three will become a designated channel under the provisions of the Communications Act 2003 (‘the Act’), and as such we must ensure an appropriate level of prominence for the channel within the EPGs of all licensed providers.
