In the last month we have published four consultations, as we continue to implement the new provisions in the Media Act 2024.
The Act introduces a new a new prominence and availability regime which will require certain connected TV platforms to ensure that the Public Service Broadcasters’ (PSBs) on-demand apps, and their public service content are available, prominent, and easily accessible. In return for these new benefits, PSBs must ensure that their designated apps make a significant contribution to the fulfilment of their individual public service remits. As part of ensuring transparency in how the PSBs plan to deliver this, the Act requires them to, in their annual Statements of Programme Policy, identify each service’s contribution to meeting their obligations.
Today we have launched two consultations as the first step to implementing these new requirements:
- We are consulting on updating our guidance to the licensed PSBs on the range of information provided in their Statements of Programme Policy, and Channel 4 in its Statements of Media Content Policy.
- We have also published a consultation on our proposals on implementation of the designation process for the PSB’s on-demand apps.
We are also currently consulting on our revised guidance for PSBs on their Commissioning Codes of Practice.
PSBs are required to have a Code which they follow when commissioning independent productions and which reflects Ofcom’s Guidance. We are proposing to revise this guidance to reflect the updated regulatory PSB framework brought in under the Act.
Last week we published our consultation on the principles and methods we propose to use in making recommendations to the Secretary of State for designated radio selection services.
The Act introduces for the first time a set of rules which aim to protect the availability of UK radio on connected audio devices. It brings into regulation certain voice-activated online services known under the Act as radio selection services (RSS), which have been designated by the Secretary of State. Our first role relevant to these new regulations is to provide the Secretary of State with a report making recommendations about which radio selection services should be designated. The consultation sets out our proposals for the principles and methods we will use to arrive at those recommendations.