14 Establishment of Channel 3.U.K.
(1)[F1OFCOM] shall do all that they can to secure the provision, in accordance with this Chapter, of a nationwide system of television broadcasting services to be known as Channel 3.
(2)Subject to subsection (5), Channel 3 shall be structured on a regional basis, with each of the services comprised within it (“Channel 3 services”) being provided for such area in the United Kingdom as [F1OFCOM] may determine in the case of that service.
(3)If it appears to [F1OFCOM] that it would be appropriate for a particular Channel 3 service to do so, they may determine that the service shall include the provision of different programmes—
(a)for such different parts of the area for which it is provided, or
(b)for such different communities living within that area,
as they may determine.
(4)If [F1OFCOM] so determine in the case of a particular Channel 3 service, that service shall be provided for a particular area only between such times of the day or on such days of the week (or both) as [F1OFCOM] may determine.
(5)If [F1OFCOM] so determine, a Channel 3 service may be provided for two or more areas for which regional Channel 3 services are provided, but any such service may only be so provided between particular times of the day.
(6)In this Part—
“regional Channel 3 service” means a Channel 3 service provided for a particular area determined under subsection (2); and
“national Channel 3 service” means a Channel 3 service provided as mentioned in subsection (5).
F2(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F3(7A)The areas mentioned in subsection (2) must at all times include at least one area that comprises, or falls entirely within, Scotland.]
(8)In this section and section 15 “programme” does not include an advertisement.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 14 substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 6 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)
F2S. 14(7) repealed (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 24(1)(a), 47(1), Sch. 2
F3S. 14(7A) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 24(1)(b), 47(1)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. I: 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)