Broadcasting Act 1990

3 Licences under Part I. U.K.

(1) Any licence granted by [F1 OFCOM] under this Part shall be in writing and (subject to the provisions of this Part) shall continue in force for such period as is provided, in relation to a licence of the kind in question, by the relevant provision of [F2 Chapter 2 or 5 of this Part or section 235 of the Communications Act 2003].

(2) A licence may be so granted for the provision of such a service as is specified in the licence or for the provision of a service of such a description as is so specified.

(3) [F1 OFCOM] —

(a) shall not grant a licence to any person unless they are satisfied that he is a fit and proper person to hold it; and

(b) shall do all that they can to secure that, if they cease to be so satisfied in the case of any person holding a licence, that person does not remain the holder of the licence;

and nothing in this Part shall be construed as affecting the operation of this subsection or of section 5(1) or (2)(b) or (c).

[F3 (3A) Where [F1 OFCOM] are not satisfied that a BBC company which has applied for a licence is a fit and proper person to hold it, they shall, before refusing the application, notify the Secretary of State that they are not so satisfied.]

(4) [F1 OFCOM] may vary a licence by a notice served on the licence holder if—

(a) in the case of a variation of the period for which the licence is to continue in force, the licence holder consents; or

(b) in the case of any other variation, the licence holder has been given a reasonable opportunity of making representations to [F1 OFCOM] about the variation.

(5) Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) does not affect the operation of section 41(1)(b); and that subsection shall not authorise the variation of any conditions included in a licence in pursuance of section 19(1) or 52(1) or in pursuance of any other provision of this Part which applies section 19(1).

(6) A licence granted to any person under this Part shall not be transferable to any other person without the previous consent in writing of [F1 OFCOM] .

(7) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6), [F1 OFCOM] shall not give their consent for the purposes of that subsection unless they are satisfied that any such other person would be in a position to comply with all of the conditions included in the licence which would have effect during the period for which it is to be in force.

[F4 (8) The holding by a person of a licence under this Part shall not relieve him of—

(a) any liability in respect of a failure to hold [F5 a licence under section 8 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006]; or

(b) any obligation to comply with requirements imposed by or under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Communications Act 2003 (electronic communications networks and electronic communications services).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 3 substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 1(2) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F2 Words in s. 3(1) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 1(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F3 S. 3(3A) inserted (24.7.1996) by 1996 c. 55, ss. 136, 149(1)(f), Sch. 8 para. 1

F4 S. 3(8) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 1(4) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F5 Words in s. 3(8)(a) substituted (8.2.2007) by Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (c. 36), s. 126(2), Sch. 7 para. 10

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 1: transfer of functions (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 1 para. 3(a) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)