Broadcasting Act 1990

Limit in relation to provision of digital programme services U.K.

F1 7 (1) No person holding a licence to provide digital programme services may, at any time before such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint for the purposes of this paragraph, provide digital programme services by means of two or more television multiplex services if the number of points attributable to those digital programme services (calculated in accordance with this paragraph) exceeds the permitted maximum.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (5), the number of points attributable to any digital programme service is two.

(3) Where—

(a) the population within the coverage area of a digital programme service is less than half of the population within the coverage area of the television multiplex service by means of which it is provided, or

(b) a digital programme service is provided by means of a television multiplex service designated by the Secretary of State by order under paragraph 5(5)(b) as a regional multiplex service, or

(c) average weekly air time in relation to a digital programme service is at least 12 hours but less than 50 hours, or

(d) in the case of a digital programme service which was first provided after the beginning of the relevant period, the applicant has notified the Commission of his intention to provide a service in relation to which average weekly air time will be at least 12 hours but less than 50 hours,

the number of points attributable to that digital programme service is one.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), where—

(a) average weekly air time in relation to a digital programme service is less than 12 hours, or

(b) in the case of a digital programme service which was first provided after the beginning of the relevant period, the applicant has notified the Commission of his intention to provide a service in relation to which average weekly air time will be less than 12 hours,

no points are attributable to that digital programme service.

(5) Where the average weekly air time in relation to each of two or more digital programme services (“the relevant services”) provided by any one holder of a licence to provide digital programme services is less than 12 hours, the relevant services shall be treated for the purposes of this paragraph as if they were one service with an average weekly air time equal to the aggregate of the average weekly air times in relation to the relevant services..

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (3) to (5), as they have effect in relation to the operation of sub-paragraph (1) at any time—

(a) “the relevant period” means the period of 13 weeks ending with the last week falling wholly within the previous calendar month, and

(b) “average weekly air time”, in relation to a digital programme service, means the average number of hours per week for which the service has been broadcast during the relevant period;

and in this sub-paragraph “week” means a week ending with Saturday.

(7) The permitted maximum shall be determined by reference to the total number of points attributable to all digital programme services being provided by the holders of licences to provide such services, as follows—

(a) where the total number of points is not more than 10, the permitted maximum is 2,

(b) where the total number of points is more than 10 but less than 24, the permitted maximum is 4, and

(c) where the total number of points is 24 or more, the permitted maximum is one quarter of that total.

(8) For the purposes of this paragraph a person who holds a licence to provide digital programme services and is a participant with more than a 20 per cent. interest in a body corporate which also holds such a licence, but who does not control that body, shall be taken to provide any digital programme services provided by that body.

(9) The Secretary of State may by order amend this paragraph—

(a) by altering the number of points for the time being attributable to digital programme services falling within sub-paragraph (2), (3) or (4),

(b) by substituting a different number of hours for the number for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (3), (4) or (5),

(c) by substituting different numbers for any numbers for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (7), and

(d) by substituting a different percentage for the percentage for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (8).

(10) An order under this paragraph shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 Pt. III substituted (1.11.1996 except so far as relating to paras. 1(2)(b), 2(7) and otherwise 1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 55, s. 73, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 10 (with s. 43(1)(6)); S.I. 1996/2120, art. 5, Sch. 2; S.I. 1997/1005, art. 4