Communications Act 2003

265Public service remits of licensed providersU.K.
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)The regulatory regime for every licensed public service channelF1... includes a condition requiring the provider of the channel F2... to fulfil the public service remit for that channel F2....

(2)[F3The public service remit—

(a)for every Channel 3 service, and

(b)for Channel 5,

is the provision of a range of high quality and diverse programming.]

[F3The public service remit for every Channel 3 service and for Channel 5 is to make available a range of high quality and diverse audiovisual content—

(a)which is all capable of being taken into account for the purpose of determining the extent to which the public service remit for television in the United Kingdom is fulfilled (see section 264(7) to (8C)), and

(b)which, considered as a whole, constitutes an adequate contribution to the fulfilment of that remit.]

(3)[F4The public service remit for Channel 4 is the provision of a broad range of high quality and diverse programming which, in particular—

(a)demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of programmes;

(b)appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society;

(c)makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the licensed public service channels to include programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of educative value; and

(d)exhibits a distinctive character.]

[F4The public service remit for Channel 4 is to make available a broad range of high quality and diverse audiovisual content—

(a)which, in particular—

(i)demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of programmes,

(ii)appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society,

(iii)includes a significant quantity and range of programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of educative value, and

(iv)exhibits a distinctive character,

(b)which is all capable of being taken into account for the purpose of determining the extent to which the public service remit for television in the United Kingdom is fulfilled, and

(c)which, considered as a whole, constitutes an adequate contribution to the fulfilment of that remit.]

F5(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F7(6)In this section, a reference to making available audiovisual content, in relation to a licensed public service channel, is a reference to the provider of that channel making available audiovisual content.

(7)Section 264(13) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 264.]

Textual Amendments

F3S. 265(2) substituted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 3(2), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.

F4S. 265(3) substituted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 3(3), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.

F7S. 265(6)(7) inserted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 3(4), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.

Commencement Information

I1S. 265 in force at 28.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/3309, art. 3