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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/oct/13/bbc-ordered-to-show-more-british-made-programmes-ofcom
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| BBC ordered to show more British-made programmes | BBC ordered to show more British-made programmes |
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| The BBC has been ordered to air more British-made programmes and spend the same on viewers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as it does in England under new rules for the broadcaster set by Ofcom. | The BBC has been ordered to air more British-made programmes and spend the same on viewers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as it does in England under new rules for the broadcaster set by Ofcom. |
| The media regulator has said that 90% of all peaktime programming on BBC1 and BBC2 must be original productions commissioned by the BBC for UK audiences, effectively meaning a ban on foreign shows and repeats in the evening. | |
| The BBC will also have to spend the same per head on content in each country of the UK following criticism from audiences in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that the BBC is not doing enough. At least half of the programme hours on the BBC must include content made outside London. | The BBC will also have to spend the same per head on content in each country of the UK following criticism from audiences in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that the BBC is not doing enough. At least half of the programme hours on the BBC must include content made outside London. |
| Ofcom has also called for the BBC to provide regular and detailed updates on its progress in improving diversity. However, in a move that will disappoint campaigners such as Sir Lenny Henry, the operating licence for the BBC will not include quotas for off-screen staff. Henry has accused Ofcom of being “strangely passive” about forcing the BBC to improve its diversity. | |
| The BBC will have to measure and publish its onscreen and on-air diversity every year, with the broadcaster forced to put measures in place to make improvements if Ofcom rules that audiences are not satisfied. Ofcom has effectively approved the BBC’s target that 15% of its staff should be from ethnic minorities and that half of all staff and leadership roles are to be held by women by 2020. However, the BBC will have to provide annual updates on its progress towards this goal. | |
| Other new rules for the BBC include Radio 1 and Radio 2 playing a broader range of music than commercial stations, more original UK content for children rather than US imports, more news and current affairs on Radio 2, and more arts, music and religious programmes on BBC1 and BBC2. | |
| Kevin Bakhurst, Ofcom’s content and media policy director, said: “The BBC is the cornerstone of UK broadcasting. But we think it can do more to provide quality, distinctive programmes that reflect the interests and lives of people across the UK. | |
| “Our rules will ensure the BBC focuses on original UK content, and invests in vital areas such as children’s programmes, music, arts and religion.” | |
| A BBC spokesperson said: “These are a tough and challenging set of requirements which rightly demand a distinctive BBC which serves and represents all audiences throughout the whole UK. We will now get on with meeting these requirements and continuing to provide the world-class, creative BBC the public wants. | |
| “We are glad Ofcom has recognised the importance of our existing workforce diversity targets – these include 15% of staff to be from ethnic minority groups and 50% of all staff and leadership roles to be held by women by 2020.” |