New digital replacement licences for
commercial terrestial broadcasters
Ofcom has just published the final digital replacement licences (DRLs)
offered to the commercial terrestrial broadcasters.
Sections 215 and 221 of the Communications Act 2003 oblige Ofcom to
make an offer of a DRL to Channel 3 licensees, Channel 5 and Public Teletext
to replace
their current analogue licences. If accepted, the replacement licences
must be issued no later than 28 December 2004.
The DRLs will become the main new broadcasting licences for Channels
3, 4, 5 and Public Teletext and will contain the key public service requirements
set out in their existing analogue licences together with new digital
switchover obligations.
A different process is required for Channel 4 in recognition of its unique
status. Therefore, Ofcom is also today publishing a revised draft DRL
for Channel 4 notifying it of the proposed terms of its new licence.
Ofcom consulted on the DRLs in September 2004.
The final DRL offers take account of all comments received. Switchover
will take place on a Channel 3 region-by-region basis. The proposed sequence
for this process will be published early in 2005 and, after discussion
and agreement, Ofcom plans to add it to the DRLs.
The offer of the DRLs for Channel 3, Channel 5 and Public Teletext remains
open until 13 December 2004. The final deadline for comments by Channel
4 on its draft DRL is also 13 December 2004. All DRLs will take effect
from 28 December 2004.
Ofcom's DRL statement and associated licences are available at: www.ofcom.org.uk
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