Section 278: Programming quotas for original productions
599.OFCOM are to include conditions in the licences of all licensed public service channels in order to secure that an appropriate amount of airtime is allocated to original productions and that the time allocated is divided as may be appropriate between peak viewing times and other times. OFCOM may also include conditions excluding specified descriptions of programmes from the calculation of the necessary proportion of original productions. Before including such a condition, OFCOM must consult the licence holder on whom it is to be imposed.
*References to original productions in section 278 are to programmes of such description as the Secretary of State may by order specify as original productions. The Secretary of State may confer such discretions on OFCOM as she sees fit for the purposes of the order. The Secretary of State must consult OFCOM, the BBC and the Welsh Authority before making any order under this section.
*“Peak viewing time” is defined in subsection (10) as such time as appears to OFCOM to be – actually or potentially - a peak viewing time for any given public service channel.
