Broadcasting Act 1996

33 Review of digital television broadcasting. U.K.

(1) For the purpose of considering for how long it would be appropriate for television broadcasting services to continue to be provided in analogue form, the Secretary of State—

(a) shall keep under review the extent of—

(i) the provision in the United Kingdom of multiplex services,

(ii) the availability in the United Kingdom in digital form of the services specified in section 2(3), S4C Digital, the qualifying teletext service, and the television broadcasting services of the BBC, and

(iii) the ownership or possession in the United Kingdom of equipment capable of receiving the services referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) when broadcast or transmitted in digital form,

and the likely future extent of such provision, such availability and such ownership or possession, and

(b) shall, on or before the fourth anniversary of the day on which the first multiplex licence is granted under section 8, and at such time or times thereafter as he thinks fit, require the Commission and the BBC to report to him on the matters referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) If the Commission or the BBC are required to submit a report under subsection (1)(b), they shall submit the report within twelve months of the date of the requirement.

(3) Before making any report under subsection (1)(b), the Commission shall consult—

(a) the holders of all multiplex licences,

(b) the holders of digital programme licences who are providing digital programme services which are being broadcast,

(c) such other persons providing services licensed by the Commission under this Part or Part I or II of the 1990 Act as the Commission think fit, and

(d) the Welsh Authority;

and the Commission shall include in their report a summary of representations made to them by the persons consulted.

(4) For the purpose mentioned in subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall, on requiring reports under subsection (1)(b), consult—

(a) such persons appearing to him to represent viewers as he thinks fit, and

(b) such other persons as he thinks fit,

in connection with the matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) and also, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, as to the likely effects on viewers of any television broadcasting service ceasing to be broadcast in analogue form.

(5) In this section “television broadcasting service” has the same meaning as in Part I of the 1990 Act.