Ofcom tells BBC to show more UK-made programmes

Ofcom have published their first operating licence for the BBC since they took over as the new independent external regulator.

The main headline is that 90% of programmes in prime time must be new UK-made productions, so expect to see less repeats and imports. Does this mean that some shows intended for daytime may now end up going out in primetime?

There are also new requirements for more programmes to be made outside of London - BBC One and BBC Two between them must broadcast over 6,000 hours of specific interest to nations and regions, 95% of which must be made in the areas to which they relate.

Increased quotas apply to news and current affairs on BBC One and Two, but also on radio where Radio 2 will be required to air at least three hours of news and current affairs in peak time per week, and Radio 1 to broadcast an extended news bulletin in peak time each weekday.

Certain genres of programming will be safeguarded where they are in decline, such as arts, music and religious programming, but also - some may be surprised to hear - comedy programming which has been identified as 'an area of particular weakness' for the BBC.

And there are also new requirements to ensure the BBC is publicly accountable for achieving diversity targets, which are 15% of staff to be from ethnic minority groups, and 50% of all staff and leadership roles to be held by women by 2020.

Press release: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/original-uk-programmes-bbc

Full documents: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/bbc-performance

I'm confused what programmes in peak times are imports? It's like saying to a non smoker no smoking here. I think the last import on BBC one was late nights flims, while BBC two was that O. J. Simpson drama. Also Does any of Jeremy vine show cover peak times? if not there might have to move him.

I think the repeat aspect is more significant than the non-UK aspect - though BBC Four shows (thankfully) a lot of imported European drama.

Surely radio peak is daytime hours whilst television is in the evening.

Sounds like the already restrictive budget will have to be stretched even further unfortunately.

Whilst I'm all for their recommendations, are they reasonable requests using the current budget?

Seems a bit rich giving OFCOM such power over the BBC considering they've pretty much let ITV drop most it's PSB) commitments over the last 15 years, especially content being made in the area to which it relates.

Radio peak is 6am-7pm weekdays and 8am-noon weekends. R2 will probably extend Jeremy Vine's show an hour to meet the new Ofcom ruling.

As I read it, Radio 1's requirement to broadcast 'two extended bulletins, one of which during peak time' is covered by the two Newsbeats at 12:45 and 5:45... or is 'extended' 30 minutes?

Three hours of news and current affairs per week ? They do already don't they, the Vine show alone is 2 x 5 = 10 hrs, or do you have to discount the music ? Even so, is that right, surely they mean three hours per day ?

Or they are using the TV definition of peak. If so Radio 1 could probably just push Newsbeat back an hour.

No, that does cover it.

These ofcom requirements aren't necessarily new things that they aren't already doing, just requirements that have to be listed again following Of ok taking over from the BBC Trust.

A bit like UK law having to be revised to include current EU laws when we leave the EU.

If I were the BBC, I'd be asking Ofcom to force local commercial radio stations to provide a minimum of 5 mins of local news at the top of every hour, peak time, weekdays.

Try and get a counterpunch in - as these proposals sound like they've been cut and pasted straight from the word document The Radio Centre submitted earlier to Ofcom earlier in the year.

You can hear the conversation at Global Radio HQ in Leicester Square.
"Radio Two is just too popular - what can we get Ofcom to do to stop it, and make people tune to our lousy and formulaic stations?
"What about trying to force the BBC in to turning The Chris Evans Breakfast Show in a version of 'Today', only with a bit more music?
"Booom. Type that up, and send it to Ofcom"

Ofcom define radio peak as 0600-1000 and 1600-1900 weekdays and 0700-1100 at weekends. TV Peak is defined as 1800-2230

Therefore on radio 1, two extended bulletins, one in peak and with bulletins lasting in total 60 mins across the day is just making the current Newsbeat service a requirement not an option.