More UK-made programmes on the BBC

13 Oct 2017 03:14 PM

The BBC must broadcast more original UK programmes under new rules designed to ensure the broadcaster offers high-quality, distinctive programmes for its entire audience. 

Viewers have told Ofcom that programmes made in the UK are important to them. Original content can also help the BBC meet duties under its new Charter, which include being distinctive, creative and reflecting the UK’s diverse communities.

So, from next year, we are requiring at least three quarters (75%) of all programme hours on the BBC’s most popular TV channels to be original productions, commissioned by the BBC for UK audiences – reaching 90% during ‘peak’ evening hours on BBC One and BBC Two.

There will be new requirements on Radio 1 and Radio 2 to play a broader range of music than commercial stations, and more music from new and emerging UK artists. The children’s channels CBBC and CBeebies must respectively show at least 400 and 100 hours of brand new, UK-commissioned programmes each year.

A BBC for the whole UK

The rules are part of a new operating licence for the BBC, published today – the first since Ofcom became the BBC’s first independent, external regulator in April.

Ofcom wants all parts of the UK to be accurately reflected, and invested in, by the BBC. So the licence also requires more BBC content to be made across the UK and in the nations.

At least half of network hours on the BBC’s television channels will be made outside of London, with separate minimum quotas for each UK nation, broadly reflecting their population size. We are also launching a review of guidance on programmes made outside London, which aims to help ensure that such programming supports and strengthens production in the UK’s nations and regions.

Under its new licence, BBC One and BBC Two must also, between them, broadcast over 6,000 hours of programmes which are of specific interest to the nations and regions - 95% of which must be made in the areas to which they relate.

And Ofcom will ensure that each of the UK’s nations and regions receives a fair share of the BBC’s spending on programmes. For the first time, the BBC will be required to spend broadly the same amount on programmes, per head, in all four of the UK’s Nations.

Click here for full press release