We are disappointed with Ofcom’s proposal to increase Channel 4’s Nations quota from nine per cent to 12 per cent of hours and expenditure by 2030 as part of Channel 4’s renewed licence.
On Friday (19th July), Ofcom announced its proposals following a consultation on Channel 4's licence renewal, which it launched in December 2023 and to which Pact submitted a response.
This was an opportunity for Ofcom to mitigate the impacts of Channel 4‘s new capacity to make its own programmes, especially given the precarious climate that the entire production sector is facing.
We are concerned that this could put the BBC’s Nations budget under further pressure and inadvertently put a strain on the wider broadcasting ecology in the UK as Channel 4 plays an equally important role in the development and maintenance of the production sector.
Ofcom is also proposing to require that Channel 4 Television Corporation (C4C) sets out annually its strategy for commissioning in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the coming year, and how it has delivered its strategy for the previous year, to ensure transparency and accountability to its key stakeholders.
Ofcom is yet to make a decision on whether Channel 4's (currently voluntary) 50% Made Outside of London (MoL) target should be included in the licence. Pact’s position is for the MoL quota to be increased to 50% to give certainty to the market.
We will be responding to Ofcom’s further consultation on Channel 4’s Made Outside of England (MoE) quotas and highlighting our concerns around its proposals.
Ofcom’s proposal to increase Channel 4’s Nations quotas by only 3 per cent to 12 per cent is deeply disappointing. This is a missed opportunity at a time when producers are struggling across the board. The quotas are a key intervention to maintaining a healthy and vibrant PSB system which can reflect different voices of people across the UK. Today’s decision risks this much needed diversity.’’
Pact CEO, John McVay commenting on the announcement.