Media Act 2024

15 Networking arrangements for Channel 3 U.K.

(1) Section 290 of the Communications Act 2003 (proposals for arrangements) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).

(2) In subsection (4)—

(a) in paragraph (b), for “available for broadcasting in all regional Channel 3 services” substitute “, in relation to each holder of such a licence, available for inclusion in one or more qualifying audiovisual services provided by that holder or a person associated with that holder”;

(b) in paragraph (c), for the words from “regional Channel 3 services” to the end of the paragraph substitute “holders of such licences and persons associated with any of those holders to provide qualifying audiovisual services that (taken as a whole) are able to compete effectively with other television programme services and on-demand programme services provided in the United Kingdom.”

(3) After subsection (4) insert—

“(5) Section 362AZ12(6) (meaning of references to a person associated with a public service broadcaster) applies for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) and (c) as it applies for the purposes of Part 3A.”

(4) After subsection (5) (inserted by subsection (3)) insert—

“(6) See also section 278B (which makes further provision for the interpretation of this section).”

(5) In section 293 of that Act (review of approved networking arrangements etc), in subsection (3), for “one year” substitute “five years”.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 55(3)(a)

I2 S. 15 in force at 23.8.2024 for specified purposes by S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.