Broadcasting
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on broadcasting. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 26.02.2013 | 4G spectrum |
| Ofcom is proceeding with plans to auction radio spectrum needed for 4G mobile devices. One related issue is the potential for interference with TV reception. | |
| 14.01.2013 | Digital radio switchover |
| The Government has published an Action Plan setting out its intention to see radio broadcasting switch from analogue to digital. A target date of 2015 has been suggested but no decision is expected until late 2013. Switchover would only go ahead if certain criteria are met. | |
| 19.12.2012 | Listed sporting events |
| The Broadcasting Act 1996 gives the Secretary of State the power to designate key sporting and other events as 'listed events'. The purpose of the list is to ensure that such events are made available to all television viewers, particularly those who do not have subscription television. | |
| 23.05.2012 | Food Advertising on Television |
| This note discusses the effects of the Ofcom ban on junk food advertising aimed at children and future policy options | |
| 25.11.2011 | BBC local radio |
| The BBC is looking to make cost savings of 20% in the years to 2017. For English local radio, their main proposal is to focus spending on peak-time programmes, with increased sharing of content between stations. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 29.03.2010 | Digital Economy Bill [HL] |
| The Bill implements aspects of Government policy on digital media set out in the 'Digital Britain' White Paper published in June 2009. It requires Ofcom to report on communications infrastructure and media content and gives it additional powers in relation to electromagnetic spectrum access. It imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement and allows the Secretary of State to intervene in internet domain name registration. The Bill requires Channel Four to provide public service content on a range of media and allows variation of the public service provision in Channel 3 and 5 licences. It also modifies the licensing regime to facilitate switchover to digital radio, extends the range of video games that are subject to age-related classification and includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme. | |
| 16.04.2008 | Food Products (Marketing to Children) Bill |
| Food Products (Marketing to Children) Bill. (Bill 19 of 2007-08). House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/35. | |
| 13.12.2006 | Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill (Bill 3 of 2006-07) |
| The Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill (Bill 3 of 2006-07). House of Commons Library Research Paper 06/64 | |
| 29.11.2002 | Broadcasting and the Communications Bill (Bill 6 2002/03) |
| Broadcasting and The Communications Bill (Bill 6 of 2002/03). House of Commons Library Research Paper 02/69. | |
| 26.10.2000 | Concessionary television licences |
| Concessionary television licences. House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/82. |
Select Committee Reports
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 19.07.2011 | BBC licence fee settlement and annual report. |
| Government response. Culture Media and Sport Select Committee; Department for Culture, Media and Sport report [Commons] | |
| 18.07.2011 | S4C. |
| Government response. Department for Culture, Media and Sport report [Commons] | |
| 21.06.2011 | The governance and regulation of the BBC. |
| Communications Select Committee (HL) report [Lords] | |
| 24.05.2011 | Pre-appointment hearing with the government's preferred candidate for the Chairman of the S4C Authority... |
| Culture Media and Sport Select Committee; Welsh Affairs Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 17.05.2011 | Implications of cuts to the BBC World Service. |
| Government response. Foreign Affairs Select Committee; BBC; Foreign and Commonwealth Office report [Commons] |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 11.01.2012 | TELEVISION CREDITS |
| That this House believes that television credits displayed at the end of programmes are crucial; further believes that they help the skilled workforce to advertise their skills to prospective ... | |
| 01.12.2011 | JEREMY CLARKSON |
| That this House condemns the disgraceful and disgusting remarks made by Jeremy Clarkson on the BBC; notes that his comments have been criticised by thousands of licence payers, hon. ... | |
| 14.11.2011 | BEHAVIOUR OF TV LICENSING |
| That this House is concerned that TV Licensing is both intimidating and misleading in its correspondence with households which do not have atelevision licence; is further concerned ... | |
| 09.11.2011 | BRIGHTON-BASED CHARITY RHYTHMIX AND THE X FACTOR |
| That this House notes that Rhythmix is the name of a small Brighton-based charity providing music-making opportunities to vulnerable youngsters; welcomes the decision by the entertainment ... | |
| 07.11.2011 | PARLIAMENTARY REPORTING AND IAN HERNON |
| That this House is concerned at the decision by Trinity Mirror North West to close its Westminster operation and the impact this will have on daily coverage of Parliamentary and constituency ... |
POST Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01.12.2007 | Next generation telecoms networks, December 2007 |
| Next generation telecoms networks, December 2007. POSTnote 07/296. | |
| 01.07.2007 | Radio spectrum management, July 2007 |
| Radio spectrum management, July 2007. POSTnote 07/292. | |
| 01.06.2006 | Analogue to digital TV switchover, June 2006 |
| Analogue to digital TV switchover, June 2006. POSTnote 06/264. |
