Industry News

Radiocentre welcomes BBC White Paper

Radiocentre has welcomed the Government’s blueprint for the future of the BBC that was published today (12 May).

The White Paper entitled ‘A BBC for the future: a broadcaster of distinction’ is available here and appears to reflect a number of concerns raised by commercial radio regarding the BBC’s market impact, distinctiveness and regulation.

In particular some of the principles outlined in the Radiocentre response to the Government’s 2015 consultation appear to have been taken on board.  For example:

  • Distinctiveness –Distinctiveness will feature in both the BBC’s new mission statement and public purposes, with the explicit aim of ensuring that mainstream services like Radio 1 and Radio 2 are more differentiated.
  • External regulation – The BBC Trust will be abolished with regulation passing to Ofcom and governance to a new BBC unitary board.
  • Operating licences – Ofcom will establish a new regime of operating licences for BBC services (with requirements being retained or strengthened to improve distinctiveness).  These will be backed up by sanctions.
  • Market impact – Ofcom will regulate commercial activity and have the final say on market impact of new and existing services.
  • Cross-promotion – Any self-promotion will need to focus on high public value and be sensitive to the needs to the market.  More transparency will be required.
  • Digital radio – BBC should take a leading role in supporting the growth of digital radio.
  • Independent production – A minimum of 60% of BBC radio content will be open to independents by 2022.

The document also addresses many other issues – including talent pay, diversity, funding, charter period and board appointments – that will also be subject to scrutiny in the coming months.

Radiocentre looks forward to welcoming the Secretary of State, Rt Hon John Whittingdale MP, to our Tuning In conference on 17th May where he will be making his first public appearance following the publication of the White Paper.