Media Act 2024

35 Amendment of BBC’s obligation to provide Welsh programmes U.K.

(1) Section 58 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (sources of programmes for S4C) is amended as follows.

(2) For subsections (1) and (1A) substitute—

“(1) The BBC must provide to S4C (free of charge) sufficient television programmes in Welsh to occupy not less than ten hours’ transmission time per week, in a way that meets the reasonable requirements of S4C.

(1A) The duty in subsection (1) does not apply during any period for which the BBC and S4C agree in writing to put in place alternative arrangements that contribute to S4C fulfilling its public service remit.

(1B) If the BBC and S4C make an agreement under subsection (1A) the BBC must, as soon as reasonably practicable, publish the terms of the agreement.

(1C) The BBC must exclude from publication any information which it or S4C considers—

(a) constitutes a trade secret, or

(b) would be likely, if published, to prejudice the commercial interests of any person,

unless the BBC and S4C consider that there is an overriding public interest in publishing the information.”

(3) Omit subsections (2) to (4) (which relate to S4C’s switched-off analogue service).

(4) In subsection (5)—

(a) for “The Welsh Authority” substitute “S4C”;

(b) for “on S4C” substitute “on S4C Digital”.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 55(3)(c)

I2 S. 35 in force at 23.8.2024 by S.I. 2024/858, reg. 2(1)(m)