Broadcasting Act 1996

17 Enforcement of multiplex licences. U.K.

(1) If [F1 OFCOM] are satisfied that the holder of a multiplex licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by [F1 OFCOM] under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may (subject to the following provisions of this section) serve on him—

(a) a notice requiring him to pay, within a specified period, a specified financial penalty to [F1 OFCOM] , or

(b) a notice reducing the period for which the licence is to be in force by a specified period not exceeding two years.

(2) The amount of any financial penalty imposed on any person in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) shall not exceed [F2 the maximum penalty given by subsection (2A).]

[F3 (2A) The maximum penalty is whichever is the greater of—

(a) £250,000; and

(b) 5 per cent. of the share of multiplex revenue attributable to the licence holder for his last complete accounting period falling within the period for which his licence has been in force (“the relevant period”).

(2B) In relation to a person whose first complete accounting period falling within the relevant period has not ended when the penalty is imposed, subsection (2A)(b) is to be construed as referring to 5 per cent. of the amount which OFCOM estimate to be the share of multiplex revenue attributable to him for that accounting period.

(2C) Section 15(1) and (3) applies for determining or estimating the share of multiplex revenue attributable to a person for the purposes of subsection (2A) or (2B) above.]

(4) [F1 OFCOM] shall not serve on any person such a notice as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to them about the matters complained of.

(5) Where a licence is due to expire on a particular date by virtue of a notice served on any person under subsection (1)(b), [F1 OFCOM] may, on the application of that person, revoke that notice by a further notice served on him at any time before that date, if they are satisfied that, since the date of the earlier notice, his conduct in relation to the operation of the licensed service has been such as to justify the revocation of that notice.

(6) Section 42 of the 1990 Act (power to revoke Channel 3 or 5 licence) shall have effect in relation to a multiplex licence as it has effect in relation to a Channel 3 licence, but as if the reference in subsection (1)(a) of that section to Part I of the 1990 Act were a reference to this Part.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 17 substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 89 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F2 Words in s. 17(2) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 13 para. 13(1)(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

F3 S. 17(2A)-(2C) substituted for s. 17(3) (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 13 para. 13(2)(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 17(1) modified (20.7.2004) by The Contracting Out (Functions relating to Broadcast Advertising) and Specification of Relevant Functions Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1975), art. 1, Sch. para. 4(a) (with art. 5)