Consultation: Revised Guidance for Public Service Broadcasters on Commissioning Codes of Practice

Independent productions are an important element of public service media (‘PSM’). They make a vital contribution to the high-quality, creative, and diverse range of content made available by the Public Service Broadcasters (‘PSBs’) to meet the needs and satisfy the interests of audiences across the UK. The PSBs both support and rely on the UK’s independent production sector to produce PSM content that meets evolving audience needs and represents the diversity of the UK.  

PSBs are required to have a Code which they follow when commissioning independent productions and which reflects Ofcom’s Guidance.  

As a result of changes introduced by the Media Act 2024 to update the regulatory framework for Public Service Broadcasters, we are proposing to revise this guidance. The changes we are proposing afford PSBs’ greater flexibility and freedom in how they deliver their quotas for independent productions, by enabling them to use their on-demand players to meet independent production quotas.

In response to the Media Act’s new transparency measure, we are further proposing to make provision in our Guidance to ensure that independent producers are aware of the PSB’s Code ahead of negotiating a commissioning contract with that PSB. 

As we have not revised our Guidance since 2007, we are also proposing further changes to update the language and reflect market developments and current commissioning practices.

We invite views from stakeholders on our propsals, as laid out in the consultation, by 10 March 2025. 

Responding to this consultation

Please submit responses using the response form no later than 5pm 10 March 2025.