Part 3

Television and Radio Services ETC
Chapter 4

Regulatory provisions

Networking arrangements for Channel 3

Proposals for arrangements
290
1
An application for a regional Channel 3 licence, in addition to being accompanied by the proposals mentioned in section 15(3)(b) of the 1990 Act, must be accompanied by the applicant’s proposals for participating in networking arrangements.
2
OFCOM may publish general guidance to applicants for regional Channel 3 licences as to the kinds of proposals which they are likely to consider satisfactory.
3
The publication of guidance under subsection (2) is to be in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate.
4
Arrangements are networking arrangements for the purposes of this Part if they—
a
apply to all the holders of regional Channel 3 licences;
b
provide for programmes made, commissioned or acquired by or on behalf of one or more of the holders of such licences to be available for broadcasting in all regional Channel 3 services , in relation to each holder of such a licence, available for inclusion in one or more qualifying audiovisual services provided by that holder or a person associated with that holder; and
c
are made for the purpose of enabling regional Channel 3 services (taken as a whole) to be a nationwide system of services which is able to compete effectively with other television programme services provided in the United Kingdom. holders of such licences and persons associated with any of those holders to provide qualifying audiovisual services that (taken as a whole) are able to compete effectively with other television programme services and on-demand programme services provided in the United Kingdom.
5
Section 362AZ12
(6)
(meaning of references to a person associated with a public service broadcaster) applies for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) and (c) as it applies for the purposes of Part 3A.
6
See also section
278B
(which makes further provision for the interpretation of this section).
Ss. 263-271 amendment to earlier affecting provision SI 2003/3195 art. 6 Sch. 2 (31.3.2005) by Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/856), arts. 1(1), 2(a)(ii)
Words in s. 290(4)(b) substituted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 15(2)(a), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.
Ss. 263-271 amendment to earlier affecting provision SI 2003/3197 art. 6 Sch. 2 (31.3.2005) by Communications (Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/855), arts. 1(1), 2(a)(ii)
S. 290(5) inserted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 15(3), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.
Word in Pt. 3 inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 22(4), 47(1)
Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (14.2.2012) by The Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/292), arts. 1, 4, Sch. Pt. 2
S. 290(6) inserted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 15(4), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.
Words in s. 290(4)(c) substituted (23.8.2024 for specified purposes) by Media Act 2024 (c. 15), ss. 15(2)(b), 55(3)(a); S.I. 2024/858, reg. 3, Sch.
S. 290 in force at 29.12.2003 by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)
Pt. 3: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2012/292, Sch. Pt. 2 (12.7.2012) by The Broadcasting (Local Digital Television Programme Services and Independent Productions) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1842), art. 4
Pt. 3 modified (1.4.2025) by The Community Radio Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/160), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. (with art. 8)