Search Legislation

Digital Economy Act 2010

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

22Functions of C4C in relation to media content

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)Before section 199 of the Communications Act 2003 insert—

198AC4C’s functions in relation to media content

(1)C4C must participate in—

(a)the making of a broad range of relevant media content of high quality that, taken as a whole, appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society,

(b)the making of high quality films intended to be shown to the general public at the cinema in the United Kingdom, and

(c)the broadcasting and distribution of such content and films.

(2)C4C must, in particular, participate in—

(a)the making of relevant media content that consists of news and current affairs,

(b)the making of relevant media content that appeals to the tastes and interests of older children and young adults,

(c)the broadcasting or distribution by means of electronic communications networks of feature films that reflect cultural activity in the United Kingdom (including third party films), and

(d)the broadcasting or distribution of relevant media content by means of a range of different types of electronic communications networks.

(3)In performing their duties under subsections (1) and (2) C4C must—

(a)promote measures intended to secure that people are well-informed and motivated to participate in society in a variety of ways, and

(b)contribute towards the fulfilment of the public service objectives (as defined in section 264A).

(4)In performing their duties under subsections (1) to (3) C4C must—

(a)support the development of people with creative talent, in particular—

(i)people at the beginning of their careers in relevant media content or films, and

(ii)people involved in the making of innovative content and films,

(b)support and stimulate well-informed debate on a wide range of issues, including by providing access to information and views from around the world and by challenging established views,

(c)promote alternative views and new perspectives, and

(d)provide access to material that is intended to inspire people to make changes in their lives.

(5)In performing those duties C4C must have regard to the desirability of—

(a)working with cultural organisations,

(b)encouraging innovation in the means by which relevant media content is broadcast or distributed, and

(c)promoting access to and awareness of services provided in digital form.

(6)In this section—

  • “participate in” includes invest in or otherwise procure;

  • “relevant media content” means material, other than advertisements, which is included in any of the following services that are available to members of the public in all or part of the United Kingdom—

    (a)

    television programme services, additional television services or digital additional television services,

    (b)

    on-demand programme services, or

    (c)

    other services provided by means of the internet where there is a person who exercises editorial control over the material included in the service;

and a film is a “third party film” if C4C did not participate in making it.

(7)The services that are to be taken for the purposes of this section to be available to members of the public include any service which—

(a)is available for reception by members of the public (within the meaning of section 361); or

(b)is available for use by members of the public (within the meaning of section 368R(4)).

(2)In section 199(2) of that Act (functions of C4C), for “C4C’s primary functions are” substitute “In subsection (1) “primary functions” means—

(za)the performance of C4C’s duties under section 198A;

and in the heading for that section, at the beginning insert “Other”.

(3)In Schedule 9 to that Act (arrangements about carrying on C4C’s activities)—

(a)in paragraph 1(1), after paragraph (a) (but before “and”) insert—

(aa)as soon as practicable after the day on which section 198A comes into force,,

(b)in paragraph 10, in the definition of “relevant licence period”, after paragraph (a) (but before “and”) insert—

(aa)in relation to the notification under paragraph 1(1)(aa), the period beginning on the day on which section 198A comes into force and ending on the last day of the first licence period to expire after that day;, and

(c)in that definition, in paragraph (b), for “any other such notification” substitute “any other notification under paragraph 1”.

(4)Accordingly, in the heading for Part 3 of that Act (television and radio services), at the end insert “ETC”.

(5)In section 24(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (Channel 4 to be provided by C4C), for “The function of the Corporation shall be to” substitute “The Corporation must”.

(6)In paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to that Act (status and capacity of C4C)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (4)(b), for “primary functions” substitute “Channel 4 functions”, and

(b)after that sub-paragraph insert—

(5)In sub-paragraph (4) “Channel 4 functions” means—

(a)securing the continued provision of Channel 4, and

(b)the fulfilment of the public service remit for that Channel under section 265 of the Communications Act 2003.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources