Media and communications regulator Ofcom will today issue digital replacement licences to Britain’s commercial terrestrial broadcasters, paving the way for ITV, Channel 4 and Five to move into a digital-only broadcasting future.
Ofcom is obliged to offer replacement licences to terrestrial broadcasters under sections 215 and 221 of the Communications Act. The watchdog must also offer Teletext the option to replace its current analogue licences. If accepted, the replacement licences must be issued by Ofcom no later than 28 December 2004.
Today’s new terms will replace existing 10-year analogue licences for ITV, Channel 4, Five and Teletext and will include what Ofcom executives call a ‘back-end’ date for switching off analogue transmissions in 2012. The replacement licences will become the main broadcasting licences and contain the same public service requirements as set out in the existing analogue licences.
Under the new licences, broadcasters will have the right to broadcast on multi-channel digital platforms such as Freeview, the free-to-air digital terrestrial platform backed by the BBC. The licences will include an analogue component allowing for the continuation of existing services until the withdrawl of those signals.
Ofcom consulted on the digital licences in September. The final offers made today take into account the comments received during the consultation period, with Ofcom explaining that switchover will take place on an ITV region-by-region basis.
The proposed sequence for region-by-region switchover will be published by Ofcom early next year and, after discussion and agreement, Ofcom plans to add it to the new digital licences.
In the case of Channel 4, Ofcom has today published a draft replacement licence in recognition of its unique status and will accept comments on its contents until 13 December. The offer of replacement licences for ITV, Five and Teletext also remains open for acceptance to the broadcasters until 13 December.
Last week saw Channel 4 make its submission to Ofcom on its review of public service broadcasting, calling for the watchdog to provide partial public funding to ensure its continued existence in a digital-only television environment. Amongst the options proposed by Channel 4 are deals with the BBC to share the cost of digital upgrades and joint ventures in new media and education and commercial tie-ups, including international distribution and consumer products.
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