August 6, 2018

Ofcom explains that one of its principal functions in regulating the BBC is to set requirements around the interaction between the BBC public service and its commercial activities, to help preserve fair and effective competition. Having reviewed how the requirements it imposed last year are working in practice, Ofcom is now consulting on some proposed modifications, including new transparency and reporting requirements.

The BBC also has requirements to increase the amount of programmes it commissions through a contestable process between different types of producers on fair and reasonable terms, as set out in the Charter and Agreement. Ofcom is also consulting on its proposed approach to enforcing these requirements. The regulator’s proposals include that the BBC should publish an annual update and submit further information to Ofcom regarding its commissioning activity. This information would allow Ofcom to measure the BBC’s progress towards its requirements, and to assess its performance on an annual basis.

Responses are invited to both these consultations by 24 September 2018. To access the consultation on the BBC’s commercial and trading activities, click here. To access the enforcement consultation, click here.