Media Act 2024 Becomes Law, Reshaping UK Broadcasting and Streaming Rules

The Act is divided into seven parts. According to the Explanatory Notes, it also repeals an uncommenced provision of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 relating to the regulation of news publishers.

What the Media Act 2024 changes

Part 1 updates the framework for public service broadcasters, including provisions to make it easier to deliver public service content through digital platforms, and amends the listed events regime for major sporting and other events of national interest so that qualifying services can only be provided by a public service broadcaster. Part 2 requires public service content on designated services to be prominent online, so that it is available and easy to find on smart televisions and other platforms used to watch television online.

Part 3 addresses the sustainability of Channel Four Television Corporation, introducing a new sustainability duty and removing a restriction on its involvement in programme-making, and implements recommendations of the 2018 review of S4C. Part 4 gives Ofcom new powers to draft and enforce a Video-on-Demand Code for on-demand services designated as Tier 1 services. Parts 5 and 6 update commercial radio regulation and protect UK radio's availability on connected audio devices, including ensuring stations cannot be charged for providing their live service to listeners.

Section 40 repeal

Part 7 repeals section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. That provision, never brought into force, could have required news publishers that were not members of an approved regulator to pay the costs of court claims against them regardless of the outcome.

When it takes effect

Under section 55, only a few provisions apply immediately, including the powers to make regulations under Part 2. The section 40 repeal takes effect two months after Royal Assent. Most of the Act, including Parts 1 and 3 to 6, will come into force on days appointed by the Secretary of State in regulations, and different days may be set for different purposes. Broadcasters, streaming platforms, television and audio device manufacturers and radio groups will need to follow Ofcom's implementation work closely as the Media Act 2024 is commenced in stages.

Sources

• legislation.gov.uk: Media Act 2024
• legislation.gov.uk: Media Act 2024, Explanatory Notes, overview of the Act
• legislation.gov.uk: Media Act 2024, section 55, commencement