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Media Act 2024

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Media Act 2024 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 July 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part 1 Public service television

    1. The public service remit for television

      1. 1.Reports on the fulfilment of the public service remit

      2. 2.OFCOM reports: wider review and reporting obligations

      3. 3.Public service remits of licensed providers

      4. 4.Statements of programme policy

      5. 5.Changes of programme policy

      6. 6.Enforcement of public service remits

      7. 7.Power to amend public service remit for television in the United Kingdom

    2. Programming quotas for public service television

      1. 8.Quotas: independent productions

      2. 9.Quotas: original productions

      3. 10.Power to create additional quotas for qualifying audiovisual content

      4. 11.Quotas: meaning of “qualifying audiovisual content” etc

      5. 12.Quotas: further provision about their fulfilment

      6. 13.Quotas: independent productions: commissioning code

      7. 14.Regional programme-making: Channels 3, 4 and 5

      8. 15.Networking arrangements for Channel 3

      9. 16.Removal of quotas for schools programmes on Channel 4

      10. 17.Quotas: the BBC and S4C

    3. Information

      1. 18.Power to require information

    4. Amount of financial penalties

      1. 19.Amount of financial penalties: qualifying revenue

    5. Sporting and other events of national interest

      1. 20.Categories of relevant service

      2. 21.Contracts relating to coverage of listed events

      3. 22.Restriction on showing live coverage of listed events

      4. 23.Regulations about coverage of listed events

      5. 24.Provision of information

      6. 25.Sections 20 to 24: further provision

    6. Public teletext service

      1. 26.Public teletext service

    7. Further amendments

      1. 27.Further amendments relating to public service television

  3. Part 2 Prominence on television selection services

    1. 28.Prominence on television selection services

  4. Part 3 Public service broadcasters

    1. Chapter 1 C4C

      1. 29.Sustainability duty of C4C

      2. 30.C4C’s duties in relation to commissioning programmes

      3. 31.Involvement of C4C in programme-making

    2. Chapter 2 S4C

      1. 32.S4C’s powers and public service remit

      2. 33.The S4C Board

      3. 34.Accounts and audit

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

      5. 36.Chapter 2 of Part 3: minor and consequential amendments

  5. Part 4 On-demand programme services

    1. 37.Tier 1 services

    2. 38.Audience protection reviews

    3. 39.S4C: on-demand programme services

    4. 40.Other amendments of Part 4A of the 2003 Act

  6. Part 5 Regulation of radio services

    1. 41.Licensing of analogue radio services

    2. 42.Licensing and local services

    3. 43.Character of local services

    4. 44.Local news and information

    5. 45.Financial assistance for radio

    6. 46.Licensing of non-UK digital sound programme services

    7. 47.Radio multiplex licences

  7. Part 6 Regulation of radio selection services

    1. 48.Regulation of radio selection services

  8. Part 7 Miscellaneous and general

    1. Amount of penalties etc

      1. 49.Penalties under Parts 3A and 3B of the Communications Act 2003

    2. Publishers of news-related material

      1. 50.Awards of costs

    3. Amendments related to the UK's withdrawal from the EU

      1. 51.Amendments of broadcasting legislation: UK’s withdrawal from EU

    4. General

      1. 52.Power to make consequential provision

      2. 53.Financial provisions

      3. 54.Extent

      4. 55.Commencement

      5. 56.Short title

  9. Schedules

    1. Schedule 1

      Quotas: the BBC and S4C

      1. Part 1 Quotas: the BBC

        1. 1.(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12 to the Communications Act...

      2. Part 2 Quotas: S4C

        1. 2.(1) Paragraph 7 of Schedule 12 to the Communications Act...

        2. 3.(1) Paragraph 8 of Schedule 12 to that Act (programme...

        3. 4.In paragraph 10 of Schedule 12 to that Act (code...

    2. Schedule 2

      Part 1: further amendments

      1. 1.Broadcasting Act 1990

      2. 2.In section 24 (Channel 4 to be provided by Corporation...

      3. 3.In section 49 (licensing of additional services), omit subsection (1A)....

      4. 4.In section 66 (requirements relating to transmission and distribution of...

      5. 5.In Schedule 2 (restrictions on the holding of licences), in...

      6. 6.Broadcasting Act 1996

      7. 7.In section 2 (meaning of “qualifying service”), in subsection (2),...

      8. 8.In section 12 (conditions attached to multiplex licence), omit subsection...

      9. 9.(1) Section 24 (digital additional service) is amended as follows....

      10. 10.In section 33 (review of digital television broadcasting), in subsection...

      11. 11.In section 39 (interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (1),...

      12. 12.(1) Section 97 (listed events) is amended as follows.

      13. 13.(1) Section 98 (categories of service) is amended as follows....

      14. 14.(1) Section 99 (contract for exclusive right to televise listed...

      15. 15.In section 100 (contract for televising listed event must specify...

      16. 16.(1) Section 102 (power of OFCOM to impose penalty) is...

      17. 17.In section 103 (report to Secretary of State about BBC...

      18. 18.(1) Section 104 (code of guidance) is amended as follows....

      19. 19.(1) In section 105 (interpretation of Part 4), subsection (1)...

      20. 20.In section 130 (interpretation of Part 5), in subsection (1),...

      21. 21.Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002

      22. 22.Communications Act 2003

      23. 23.In section 3 (general duties of OFCOM), in subsection (4)(a),...

      24. 24.In section 64 (must carry obligations), omit subsection (3)(f).

      25. 25.In section 198A (C4C’s functions in relation to media content),...

      26. 26.In section 216 (renewal of Channel 3 and 5 licences),...

      27. 27.Omit the italic heading before section 218.

      28. 28.In section 224 (meaning of initial expiry date), omit subsection...

      29. 29.In the italic heading before section 225, omit “and teletext”....

      30. 30.In section 226 (application for review of financial terms in...

      31. 31.In section 227 (reviews under sections 225 and 226), in...

      32. 32.(1) Section 229 (report in anticipation of new licensing round)...

      33. 33.In section 233 (services that are not television licensable content...

      34. 34.In section 241 (television multiplex services), omit subsection (9)(f).

      35. 35.In section 243 (powers where frequencies reserved for qualifying services),...

      36. 36.(1) Section 263 (application of regulatory regimes) is amended as...

      37. 37.In section 264 (OFCOM reports on the fulfilment of the...

      38. 38.In section 265 (public service remits of licensed providers)—

      39. 39.Omit section 268 (statement of service policy by the public...

      40. 40.Omit section 269 (changes of public teletext service policy).

      41. 41.(1) Section 270 (enforcement of public service remits) is amended...

      42. 42.In section 271 (power to amend public service remits), in...

      43. 43.In section 272 (must-offer obligations in relation to networks), omit...

      44. 44.In section 273 (must-offer obligations in relation to satellite services),...

      45. 45.In section 274 (securing reception of must-provide services in certain...

      46. 46.In section 275 (must-provide services for the purposes of section...

      47. 47.Omit section 276 (cooperation with the public teletext provider).

      48. 48.Omit section 284 (news provision on the public teletext service)....

      49. 49.Omit section 289 (regional matters in the public teletext service)....

      50. 50.Omit section 298 (conditions prohibiting interference with other services) and...

      51. 51.Omit section 300 (effects of categorisation of listed events into...

      52. 52.In section 301 (the code under section 104 of the...

      53. 53.Omit section 308 (assistance for the visually impaired with the...

      54. 54.In section 310 (code of practice for electronic programme guides),...

      55. 55.In section 322 (supplementary powers relating to advertising), in subsection...

      56. 56.In section 324 (setting and publication of standards), omit subsection...

      57. 57.In section 335 (conditions securing compliance with international obligations), omit...

      58. 58.(1) Section 351 (changes of control of Channel 3 services)...

      59. 59.(1) Section 353 (changes of control of Channel 5) is...

      60. 60.(1) Section 362 (interpretation of Part 3) is amended as...

      61. 61.In section 405 (general interpretation), in subsection (1)—

      62. 62.In Schedule 9 (arrangements about carrying on of C4C’s activities),...

      63. 63.Omit Schedule 10 (licensing the public teletext service).

      64. 64.In Schedule 12 (corresponding obligations of the BBC and Welsh...

      65. 65.In Schedule 18 (transitional provisions), in paragraph 51 (listed events...

      66. 66.Digital Economy Act 2010

    3. Schedule 3

      Part 2: further amendments

      1. 1.The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.

      2. 2.In section 393 (general restrictions on disclosure of information), in...

      3. 3.In section 394 (service of notifications and other documents), in...

      4. 4.In section 400 (destination of fees and penalties), in subsection...

    4. Schedule 4

      Chapter 2 of Part 3: minor and consequential amendments

      1. 1.Broadcasting Act 1990

      2. 2.In section 37 (announcements of programme schedules), in subsection (2)(a),...

      3. 3.(1) Section 56 (Welsh Authority to continue as Sianel Pedwar...

      4. 4.(1) Section 60 (advertising on S4C) is amended as follows....

      5. 5.(1) Section 61 (funding of Welsh Authority) is amended as...

      6. 6.(1) Section 61A (Welsh Authority public service fund) is amended...

      7. 7.(1) Section 63 (government control over S4C) is amended as...

      8. 8.(1) Section 64 (audience research by Welsh Authority) is amended...

      9. 9.In section 66 (requirements relating to transmission and distribution of...

      10. 10.In section 71 (interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (1),...

      11. 11.In section 176 (duty to provide advance information about programmes),...

      12. 12.In section 177 (orders proscribing unacceptable foreign satellite services), in...

      13. 13.In section 188 (power to give broadcasting bodies etc directions...

      14. 14.In section 202 (general interpretation), in subsection (1)—

      15. 15.In Part 2 of Schedule 2 (disqualification for holding licences),...

      16. 16.(1) Schedule 6 (the Welsh Authority: supplementary provisions) is amended...

      17. 17.Broadcasting Act 1996

      18. 18.In section 2 (meaning of “qualifying service”), in subsection (2)(e)—...

      19. 19.(1) Section 24 (digital additional services) is amended as follows....

      20. 20.Omit section 29(2) (application of the Broadcasting Act 1990 to...

      21. 21.In section 33(1)(a)(ii) and (3)(d) (review of digital television broadcasting),...

      22. 22.In section 39 (interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (1),...

      23. 23.In section 97 (listed events)— (a) in subsection (2) (before...

      24. 24.In sections 99(2) (televising listed events), 103(3) (report to Secretary...

      25. 25.In section 105 (interpretation of Part 4 and supplementary provisions),...

      26. 26.In section 107 (code relating to avoidance of unjust or...

      27. 27.In section 130(1) (interpretation of Part 5)—

      28. 28.Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002

      29. 29.Communications Act 2003

      30. 30.In section 12(9)(b) (OFCOM’s Content Board), for “and employees of...

      31. 31.In the Chapter heading of Chapter 1 of Part 3,...

      32. 32.(1) In section 203 (function of OFCOM), and in its...

      33. 33.(1) Section 207 (finances) is amended as follows.

      34. 34.In sections 211(1)(a) (regulation of independent television services) and 243(7)(d)...

      35. 35.In section 264 (OFCOM reports on the fulfilment of public...

      36. 36.In sections 277(11) (programming quotas for independent productions), 278(8) (programming...

      37. 37.In sections 303(12)(a) (code relating to provision for people with...

      38. 38.(1) In section 338 (corresponding rules), and in its heading,...

      39. 39.(1) Section 339 (review of fulfilment of public service remits)...

      40. 40.In the italic heading before section 339, for “the Welsh...

      41. 41.(1) Section 340 (directions to S4C to take remedial action)...

      42. 42.(1) Section 341 (imposition of penalties) is amended as follows....

      43. 43.(1) Section 343 (provision of information) is amended as follows....

      44. 44.In section 347(7) (statement of charging principles), for “the Welsh...

      45. 45.(1) Section 362 (interpretation of Part 3) is amended as...

      46. 46.In section 368R(6) (interpretation of Part 4A), for “the Welsh...

      47. 47.In section 393(3)(g) (restrictions on disclosure of information), for “the...

      48. 48.In section 405(1) (interpretation of Act), after the definition of...

      49. 49.(1) In the heading of Schedule 12 (corresponding obligations of...

      50. 50.In the heading of that Part, for “The Welsh Authority”...

      51. 51.(1) Paragraph 3 (public service remits) is amended as follows....

      52. 52.(1) Paragraph 4 (statements of programme policy) is amended as...

      53. 53.(1) Paragraph 5 (duties regarding arrangements with networks) is amended...

      54. 54.In paragraph 6 (supply of services by satellite in certain...

      55. 55.(1) Paragraph 7 (programming quotas for independent productions) is amended...

      56. 56.(1) Paragraph 8 (programme quotas for original productions) is amended...

      57. 57.(1) Paragraph 9 (news and current affairs programmes) is amended...

      58. 58.(1) Paragraph 10 (code relating to programme commissioning) is amended...

      59. 59.In paragraphs 12 (duty to observe programme standards), 13 (duty...

      60. 60.In paragraph 13, for “the Authority” substitute “S4C”.

      61. 61.In paragraph 14(2)(a), for “the Authority’s” substitute “S4C’s”.

      62. 62.(1) Paragraph 15 (OFCOM action if S4C fails to perform...

      63. 63.(1) Paragraph 16 (directions with respect to advertising) is amended...

      64. 64.In paragraph 17 (fairness standards), for “the Welsh Authority” substitute...

      65. 65.(1) Paragraph 18 (party political broadcasts) is amended as follows....

      66. 66.(1) Paragraph 19 (publicising complaints procedures) is amended as follows....

      67. 67.In paragraph 20(1) (monitoring of programmes), for “the Welsh Authority”...

      68. 68.(1) Paragraph 21 (compliance with international obligations) is amended as...

      69. 69.(1) Paragraph 22 (services for people with disabilities) is amended...

      70. 70.(1) Paragraph 23 (equality of opportunity) is amended as follows....

      71. 71.(1) Paragraph 24 (public services) is amended as follows.

      72. 72.In Schedule 18 (transitional provisions), omit paragraph 27 and sub-...

      73. 73.Equality Act 2010

    5. Schedule 5

      Tier 1 services: Chapter to be inserted as Chapter 3 of Part 4A of the 2003 Act

    6. Schedule 6

      Tier 1 services: further amendments of Part 4A of the 2003 Act

      1. 1.Part 4A of the Communications Act 2003 is amended as...

      2. 2.Before section 368I insert— Chapter 4 Enforcement: general .

      3. 3.(1) Section 368I (enforcement of sections 368CB and 368D) is...

      4. 4.In section 368IA (enforcement of section 368E(4)), in subsection (1),...

      5. 5.(1) Section 368K (suspension or restriction of service for contraventions...

      6. 6.(1) Section 368L (suspension or restriction of service for inciting...

      7. 7.(1) Section 368M (supplementary provisions about directions) is amended as...

      8. 8.In section 368N (enforcement of directions under section 368K or...

      9. 9.Before section 368NA insert— Chapter 5 Supplementary .

      10. 10.(1) Section 368NA (fees) is amended as follows.

      11. 11.(1) For section 368O (power to demand information) substitute— Power...

      12. 12.(1) Section 368R (interpretation of Part 4A) is amended as...

    7. Schedule 7

      Tier 1 services: amendments of other legislation

      1. 1.In section 93 of the Representation of the People Act...

      2. 2.(1) The Broadcasting Act 1996 is amended as follows.

      3. 3.(1) The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.

      4. 4.(1) Section 9A of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (notice...

      5. 5.(1) The Online Safety Act 2023 is amended as follows....

    8. Schedule 8

      Other amendments of Part 4A of the 2003 Act

      1. 1.Part 4A of the Communications Act 2003 is amended as...

      2. 2.In section 368BZA (list of providers), in subsection (1), for...

      3. 3.In section 368BB (enforcement of section 368BA), after subsection (6)...

      4. 4.Omit the cross-heading preceding section 368BC.

      5. 5.(1) Omit sections 368BC and 368BD (accessibility for people with...

      6. 6.Omit section 368CA (code on accessibility for people with disabilities)....

      7. 7.In section 368D (duties of service providers), in subsection (3)(zb),...

      8. 8.In section 368I (enforcement of sections 368CB and 368D), after...

      9. 9.In section 368IA (enforcement of section 368E(4)), after subsection (8)...

      10. 10.In section 368J (financial penalties), in subsection (1), omit “,...

      11. 11.In section 368K (suspension or restriction of service for contraventions...

      12. 12.(1) Before section 368R insert— Service of notices by OFCOM...

    9. Schedule 9

      Part 6: further amendments

      1. 1.The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.

      2. 2.In section 393 (general restrictions on disclosure of information), in...

      3. 3.In section 394 (service of notifications and other documents), in...

      4. 4.In section 400 (destination of fees and penalties), in subsection...

    10. Schedule 10

      Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 16A to the 2003 Act

    11. Schedule 11

      Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 16B to the 2003 Act

    12. Schedule 12

      Amendments related to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU

      1. Part 1 Amendments of the Broadcasting Acts

        1. 1.In section 202 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (general interpretation),...

        2. 2.In section 105 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (interpretation of...

      2. Part 2 Amendments of the Communications Act 2003

        1. 3.The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.

        2. 4.(1) Section 335B (maintenance of list of providers) is amended...

        3. 5.(1) Section 368BZA (maintenance of list of providers) is amended...

        4. 6.In section 368BA (advance notification to appropriate regulatory authority), in...

        5. 7.In section 368CB (quota for European works)—

        6. 8.In section 368D (duties of service providers), in subsection (2)(ca),...

        7. 9.(1) Section 368E (harmful material) is amended as follows.

        8. 10.For section 368OA (co-operation with member States and the European...

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