Monitro effaith gweithgareddau'r BBC ar gystadleuaeth


Mae’r Siarter a'r Cytundeb yn rhoi dyletswydd ar Ofcom i ystyried effeithiau gweithgareddau’r BBC ar gystadleuaeth deg ac effeithiol.

Fel sefydliad mawr sy’n cael arian cyhoeddus, yn anochel mae’r BBC yn effeithio ar gystadleuaeth yn y farchnad cyfryngau ehangach. Gall gael effaith gadarnhaol drwy gynyddu'r dewis neu hybu arloesed ar draws y sector, er enghraifft. Ond wrth gyflawni ei amcanion, gall y BBC hefyd niweidio gallu cwmnïau eraill i gystadlu’n effeithiol.

Swyddogaeth Ofcom yw asesu effaith gweithgareddau’r BBC ar gystadleuaeth. Rydym wedi datblygu rheolau sy’n berthnasol i wahanol elfennau o weithgarwch y BBC a allai arwain at bryderon yng nghyswllt cystadleuaeth, yn ogystal â chanllawiau i egluro pa adnoddau y byddwn yn eu defnyddio i ddiogelu cystadleuaeth deg ac effeithiol yn y meysydd y mae’r BBC yn gweithredu ynddynt.

Adolygiad o sut rydym ni'n rheoleiddio'r BBC

Wrth i ni ddod at ganol cyfnod Siarter presennol y BBC, rydym wedi bod yn adolygu perfformiad y BBC a'n gwaith yn ei reoleiddio yn y dyfodol.

Rydym hefyd wedi cyhoeddi canfyddiadau ein hadolygiad o'r rhyngweithio rhwng BBC Studios a Gwasanaeth Cyhoeddus y BBC. Yn yr adolygiad hwn, gwnaethom geisio deall yn well sut mae'r BBC wedi dilyn y rheolau rydym wedi pennu i'w weithgareddau masnachol ac os ydy ein gwaith rheoleiddio yn parhau'n effeithiol.

Polisi ac Arweiniad

Review of how we regulate the BBC

As we approach the mid-point in the BBC’s current Charter period, we have been reviewing the BBC’s performance and our future regulation of it.

We have also published our review of the interaction between BBC Studios and the BBC Public Service. In this review we sought to better understand how the BBC has followed the rules we apply to its commercial activities, and whether our regulation remains effective.

In November 2022, we published a consultation on how Ofcom regulates the BBC’s impact on competition (PDF, 819.0 KB). The consultation set out proposals to change our guidance about how the impact on competition from proposed changes to the BBC’s public services is assessed, and to place a requirement on the BBC to publicise planned changes to its public services.

Following consultation, we decided to place a new requirement (PDF, 684.9 KB) on the BBC to publicise changes to its public services that are likely to be subject to a materiality assessment by the BBC, to encourage it to be more transparent with stakeholders about its plans and more consistent about how it makes them public. We have also made some small changes to the trading and separation requirements.

Policy and guidance

Here you'll find our rules relating to different areas of BBC activity that could lead to competition concerns, and guidance to explain the tools we use to protect fair and effective competition in the areas that the BBC operates.

A general overview of our approach to BBC competition regulation (PDF, 139.2 KB)

How we would enforce these competition requirements

Assessing the impact of the BBC's public service activities

When the BBC proposes a change to its public services activities, Ofcom will assess whether or not the public value of the change justifies any adverse effects on fair and effective competition.

Guidance: How we assess the impact of proposed changes to the BBC’s public service activities (PDF, 660.0 KB)

We can also assess whether an existing BBC public service activity is having a significant adverse impact on fair and effective competition. This includes an assessment of whether the public value of the service justifies any adverse impacts on fair and effective competition.

Guidance: How we assess the impact of the BBC's public service activities (PDF, 356.1 KB)

Commissioning for the BBC's public services

Over the course of the Charter period, the BBC must commission an increasing number of programmes; and the competitive process it follows must be fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory and transparent.

Ofcom's role is to enforce these requirements, monitor the BBC's compliance and -- if necessary -- impose additional requirements to protect fair and effective competition.

In February 2019, we decided that no additional regulation was needed in this area.

Distribution of the BBC's public services

We can consider specific competition concerns about the way the BBC distributes its public services. When assessing concerns, we will take into account the need for the BBC to fulfil its Mission and Public Purposes.

Distribution of BBC public services: Ofcom’s requirements and guidance (PDF, 159.7 KB)

Handling non-editorial complaints about the BBC

Under the BBC Agreeement, Ofcom has determined:

  • the form in and intervals at which the BBC must report to Ofcom in relation to relevant complaints received about non-editorial (competition and other regulatory) matters; and
  • the form in and intervals at which the BBC must publish information about the operation and effectiveness of its complaints-handling procedures for non-editorial (competition and other regulatory) complaints.

Determinations by Ofcom in relation to BBC non-editorial complaints handling (PDF, 700.7 KB)

Letter from Kevin Bakhurst, Content Media Policy Group Director, Ofcom, to Fraser Steel, Head of Editorial Complaints, BBC (PDF, 462.6 KB)

Asesiadau

Competition assessments

Our role involves considering whether a change proposed by the BBC is material and, if so, determining whether it may proceed.

When making our decision, we might carry out a competition assessment (BCA). This requires us to conclude whether the public value of the proposed change justifies any adverse effect on fair and effective competition.

Below you'll find information about recent competition assessments.

Other competition-related work