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Broadcasting Act 1990 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
Part I Independent Television Services
Chapter 1 Regulation by Commission of Television Services Generally
Chapter II Television Broadcasting on Channels 3, 4 and 5
16.Procedure to be followed by Commission in connection with consideration of applications for licences.
18.Failure to begin providing licensed service and financial penalties on revocation of licence.
19.Additional payments to be made in respect of Channel 3 licences.
21.Restriction on changes in control over Channel 3 licence holder.
21A.Variation of regional Channel 3 licence following change of control.
22.Temporary provision of regional Channel 3 service for additional area.
Chapter V Additional Services Provided on Television Broadcasting Frequencies
51. Procedure to be followed by Commission in connection with consideration of applications for, and awarding of, licences.
52. Additional payments to be made in respect of additional services licences.
53. Duration of licences, and renewal of licences for provision of services on assigned frequencies.
54. Additional services not to interfere with other transmissions.
Part II Local Delivery Services
Part III Independent Radio Services
Chapter I Regulation by Authority of Independent Radio Services Generally
Chapter II Sound Broadcasting Services
99.Procedure to be followed by Authority in connection with consideration of applications for national licences.
100.Award of national licence to person submitting highest cash bid.
100A.Licence conditions relating to simulcast radio services
101. Failure to begin providing licensed service and financial penalties on revocation of licence.
102. Additional payments to be made in respect of national licences.
103.Restriction on changes in control over holder of national licence.
Miscellaneous provisions relating to national and local services
Chapter IV Additional Services Provided on Sound Broadcasting Frequencies
122. Certain receipts of Authority to be paid into Consolidated Fund.
123. Frequency planning and general research and development.
124. Authority to assist Secretary of State in connection with licensing functions under 1949 Act.
125. Representation by Authority of Government and other interests in connection with broadcasting matters.
Part IV Transfer of Undertakings of IBA and Cable Authority
129. Transitional arrangements relating to IBA’s broadcasting services.
130. Variation of programme contracts to take account of new transmission arrangements.
131. Supplementary provisions relating to variation of programme contracts.
133. Functions exercisable by IBA before transfer date in connection with local sound broadcasting.
134. Transitional arrangements relating to existing cable services.
Part V The Broadcasting Complaints Commission
Part VII Prohibition on Inclusion of Obscene and Other Material in Programme Services
Part VIII Provisions Relating to Wireless Telegraphy
168. Offence of keeping wireless telegraphy station or apparatus available for unauthorised use.
169. Offence of allowing premises to be used for purpose of unlawful broadcasting.
170. Prohibition of acts facilitating unauthorised broadcasting.
171. Amendments of the Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967.
172. Amendments of provisions of 1949 Act relating to penalties and forfeiture.
173. Extension of search and seizure powers in relation to unlawful broadcasting etc.
174. Application of Part VIII to Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
Part X Miscellaneous and General
Power to give directions relating to international obligations
Application of competition legislation
192. Application of provisions of Fair Trading Act 1973 to broadcasting and telecommunication services.
193.Modification of networking arrangements in consequence of competition legislation
194. Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 not to apply to networking arrangements.
194A. Modification of Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 in its application to agreements relating to Channel 3 news provision.
SCHEDULES
The Independent Television Commission: Supplementary Provisions
Restrictions on the Holding of Licences
Part III. Restrictions to Prevent Accumulations of Interests in Licensed Services
Part IV Restrictions on Controlling Interests in Both Newspapers and Licensed Services
Part V Restriction on Holding of Licences by Operators of Public Telecommunication Systems
The Channel Four Television Corporation: Supplementary Provisions
Supplementary Provisions Relating To Dissolution of Cable Authority
Transitional Provisions Relating to IBA’s Broadcasting Services
Part II Television Broadcasting Services to be provided by Commission
Part III Replacement of DBS Contracts by Licences under Part I
Part IV Sound Broadcasting Services to be Provided by Radio Authority
Transitional Provisions Relating to Existing Cable Services
Part II Licensing of Existing Cable Services
Prescribed diffusion services: continuation in force of existing licences
Prescribed diffusion services: replacement of cable licences by local delivery licences
Prescribed diffusion services: grant of new licences to provide existing services
Other diffusion services: continuation in force of existing licences
Other diffusion services: replacement of cable licences by local delivery licences
Other diffusion services: certain licences to cease to have effect
Other diffusion services: services falling partly within and partly outside franchise areas
Part III Provisions Relating to Licences in Force under or by virtue of this Schedule
Application of 1959 Act to Television and Sound Programmes
Amendments of the Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967
1.(1) Section 2 (prohibition of broadcasting from marine structures) shall...
2.After section 2 insert the following section— Unlawful broadcasting from...
3.In section 3 (prohibition of acts connected with broadcasting from...
4.After section 3 insert the following section— Prohibition of management...
5.(1) Section 4 (prohibition of acts facilitating broadcasting from ships,...
6.(1) Section 5 (prohibition of acts relating to matter broadcast...
7.(1) Section 6 (penalties and legal proceedings) shall be amended...
8.After section 7 insert the following section— Powers of enforcement...
Minor and Consequential Amendments
Private Places of Entertainment (Licensing) Act 1967 (c. 19)
Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c. 34 (N.I.))
Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/460 (N.I.5))
Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/839 (N.I.20))
Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I.26))
Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (S.I. 1985/1204 (N.I.11))
Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/594 (N.I.3))
Consumer Protection (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I.1987/2049 (N.I.20))
Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/915)
Criminal Justice (Serious Fraud) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (S.I.1988/1846 (N.I.16))
Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I.19))
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