http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/280/2004-07-01Communications Act 2003An Act to confer functions on the Office of Communications; to make provision about the regulation of the provision of electronic communications networks and services and of the use of the electro-magnetic spectrum; to make provision about the regulation of broadcasting and of the provision of television and radio services; to make provision about mergers involving newspaper and other media enterprises and, in that connection, to amend the Enterprise Act 2002; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-01-13Expert Participation2004-07-01 Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)The Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2003art. 1(3)Communications Act 2003s. 368E(5)(d)(e)Digital Economy Act 2017s. 94(3)s. 118(6)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A Pt. 4ZAProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 67(1)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 103(1)(ca)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 70s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 119AProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 72s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003s. 148A and cross-headingProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 73(2)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003s. 402(2A)(za)(zb)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 2s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 21(6)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 3(5)(b)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 37(3)(aza)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 3(9)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 84(1)(aza)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 3(10)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2004art. 2Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2004art. 2Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2004art. 2 Part 3 Chapter 42801The regulatory regime for every regional Channel 3 service includes the conditions that OFCOM consider appropriate for securing the nationwide broadcasting, on the regional Channel 3 services (taken together), of news programmes that are able to compete effectively with other television news programmes broadcast nationwide in the United Kingdom.2The conditions imposed under this section must include a condition requiring the holder of a regional Channel 3 licence to do all that he can to ensure—athat arrangements for the appointment of a single body corporate as the appointed news provider are maintained between all the holders of regional Channel 3 licences; andbthat, at all times while he is providing a regional Channel 3 service, there is in force an appointment made in accordance with those arrangements.3The arrangements that are required to be maintained by virtue of conditions imposed under subsection (2) must provide—afor the terms on which a body is appointed as the appointed news provider to include the terms appearing to OFCOM to be appropriate for securing that the body’s finances are adequate, throughout the period of its appointment, to ensure that the Channel 3 news obligations are capable of being met; andbfor the approval of OFCOM to be required for the purposes of paragraph (a) to the terms on which an appointment is made.4The conditions imposed under this section must include the conditions that OFCOM consider appropriate for securing that arrangements maintained between—athe holders of regional Channel 3 licences, andbthe body which is the appointed news provider,ensure that that body is subject to an obligation, enforceable by OFCOM, to provide OFCOM with all such information as they may require for the purpose of carrying out their functions.5The conditions imposed under this section must include a condition requiring the news programmes included in a regional Channel 3 service—ato be programmes provided by the body which is for the time being the appointed news provider for the purposes of this section; andbto be so included in that service as to be broadcast simultaneously with the broadcasting of news programmes included, in accordance with conditions imposed under this subsection, in other regional Channel 3 services.6Those conditions must also require the news programmes provided by the appointed news provider which, in accordance with a condition imposed under subsection (5), are included in a regional Channel 3 service to be programmes that are presented live.7OFCOM—amay issue guidance as to the terms that will satisfy requirements imposed by virtue of subsection (3)(a); andbmust have regard to guidance for the time being in force under this subsection when considering whether to give an approval for the purposes of provision made by virtue of subsection (3)(b).8For the purposes of this section the Channel 3 news obligations are—athe requirements of any conditions imposed in relation to regional Channel 3 services under section 279; andbthe nationwide broadcasting on the regional Channel 3 services (taken together) of news programmes that are able to compete effectively with other television news programmes broadcast nationwide in the United Kingdom.9Conditions imposed under this section are not to require arrangements to make provision falling within subsection (3)(a) or (b) or (4) in relation to appointments made before the commencement of this section.10Section 32 of the 1990 Act (nomination of bodies eligible for appointment as news providers) shall cease to have effect.S. 280 in force at 29.12.2003 by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)