Statement: Modernising the BBC’s Operating Licence

In the last decade, the media landscape and the way in which audiences consume content have dramatically changed. In this increasingly fragmented landscape, the BBC continues to have an important role, but it needs to transform and modernise to continue delivering on its remit.

Our regulation needs to modernise too, to reflect changes in the media landscape and audience behaviour. Following extensive consultation, this statement sets out our decisions on a new Operating Licence for the BBC.

The new Licence, which comes into effect on 1 April 2023, will benefit audiences by safeguarding important content, while enabling the BBC to adapt and innovate in how it delivers content to viewers and listeners. For the first time, the licence also sets broad requirements on the BBC’s online services – BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and the BBC website – and requires the BBC to comprehensively report on its plans and performance.