Performance
Ofcom is tasked with holding the BBC to account in relation to its output and services, using the range of regulatory tools at our disposal.
These tools include:
- setting enforceable regulatory conditions on the BBC’s UK public services through the BBC’s operating licence;
- a new performance measurement framework to assess compliance with the regulatory conditions and examine the BBC’s wider performance;
- an annual report on these performance measures and the BBC’s compliance with the regulatory conditions; and
- at least two in-depth reviews of the BBC’s performance during the Charter period. We can also conduct ad hoc reviews, where we feel appropriate.
We have published our review of the BBC’s news and current affairs output across television, radio and online.
We have published our third Annual Report on the BBC, covering April 2019 to March 2020.
We provide our assessment of how the BBC is performing against the backdrop of a rapidly changing media landscape. We also set out the steps we have taken to assess delivery of its mission and public purposes, its impact on competition and to secure its editorial standards.
Ofcom letter of approval (PDF, 163.5 KB)
This letter confirms Ofcom’s approval of the current BBC Commissioning Code of Practice for Representation, Portrayal and Diversity, in line with the requirements set out in the BBC Operating Licence.
Definition of New Music on Radio 1 and Radio 2
This licence variation updates the definition of New Music used to assess Radio 1 and Radio 2’s compliance with their respective requirements and adjusts the associated new music obligation for Radio 1.
BBC Operating Licence (PDF, 683.1 KB)
As required under the BBC’s Royal Charter, Ofcom has developed an 'Operating Framework' for the BBC, covering regulation of the BBC’s performance, compliance with content standards and impact on competition.
Holding the BBC to account for the delivery of its mission and public purposes
This statement sets out our first operating licence for the BBC and our performance framework, together with the processes for setting and amending these in the future.
BBC services: Audiences in England (PDF, 266.6 KB). This is a separate document available for audiences in England which sets out the regulatory conditions that apply specifically to the BBC’s services in England.
BBC services: Audiences in Scotland (PDF, 320.6 KB). This is a separate document available for audiences in Scotland which sets out the regulatory conditions that apply specifically to the BBC’s services in Scotland.
BBC services: Audiences in Northern Ireland (PDF, 285.6 KB). This is a separate document available for audiences in Northern Ireland which sets out the regulatory conditions that apply specifically to the BBC’s services in Northern Ireland.
BBC services: Audiences in Wales (PDF, 269.8 KB). This is a separate document available for audiences in Wales which sets out the regulatory conditions that apply specifically to the BBC’s services in Wales. This document is available in Welsh.
Statement: BBC’s Children’s news and first-run UK originated programmes
This statement explains our final decisions on a request by the BBC to change its Operating Licence in relation to children’s news and children’s first-run UK originated programmes.
News exemptions for BBC radio during Christmas 2018
In October 2018, the BBC wrote to Ofcom explaining that it had previously offered a reduced news schedule on some BBC Network Radio stations over the Christmas period. This reflects the change in audience listening habits at this time.
The BBC requested a temporary suspension of the news conditions for Radio 1 (condition 2.8.1) and 1Xtra (condition 2.9.1) on the 24, 27, 28 and 31 December 2018, as well as the news condition for BBC Asian Network (condition 2.15) for the weeks commencing 24 and 31 December 2018. For full details of the relevant conditions please refer to page 12 of the BBC's Operating Licence (conditions 2.8.1; 2.9.1; and 2.15) (PDF, 591.3 KB).
The BBC's Operating Licence (PDF, 591.3 KB) anticipated the need for such changes (as outlined in condition 2.16, page 12). Ofcom accepted the BBC's request on the basis that:
- this approach was consistent with previous years;
- BBC News Online would continue to offer users updates on any key breaking stories over Christmas and New Year;
- audience habits and listening patterns over the Christmas period are different to the rest of the year;
- with Parliament in recess and many major organisations either fully or partially closed over the period, the news agenda is generally quieter; and
- it allows the BBC to make optimal use of staff.
As such, over the Christmas period of 2018, Ofcom agreed that the BBC could reduce the number of hours of news across Radio 1, 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network and resume a normal service on Wednesday 2 January 2019.
News exemptions for BBC radio in December 2020
In November 2020, the BBC wrote to Ofcom requesting a temporary suspension of the news conditions for Radio 1 (condition 2.8.1), Radio 1Xtra (condition 2.9.1), Radio 2 (condition 2.10.1) and BBC Asian Network (condition 2.15) on the 1 December 2020 due to a special event. For full details of the relevant conditions please refer to page 12 of the BBC's Operating Licence (PDF, 591.3 KB).
The BBC's Operating Licence anticipated the need for such changes (as outlined in condition 2.16, page 12). Ofcom therefore accepted the BBC's request on the basis that it falls into the circumstances envisaged by condition 2.16.
Ofcom is tasked with holding the BBC to account in relation to its output and services, using the range of regulatory tools at our disposal.
This section gathers together consultations, regulatory statements, news releases and other useful information relating to performance. It covers the period from September 2016 when the draft Charter and Agreement were published, until 3 April 2017 when the transfer of regulation became effective.
Statement: Holding the BBC to account for the delivery of its mission and public purposes. We consulted from March to July 2017 on:
a) a draft BBC operating licence, and the process for setting and amending this in future; and
b) Ofcom’s proposed performance measures for the BBC, and the process for setting and amending these in future.
This Statement sets out our first operating licence for the BBC and our performance framework, together with the processes for setting and amending these in the future. It also includes detailed Annexes setting out how we have taken account of consultation responses and of the BBC’s interim annual plan published on 3 July 2017.
Research: BBC distinctiveness. Two research reports are available. The first report, published in full in June 2017, sets out findings from the qualitative market research we conducted about the expectations which people across the UK have of the BBC, particularly in relation to distinctiveness. The second report, published in July 2017, details quantitative market research designed to quantify audiences’ views and priorities relating specifically to distinctiveness as detailed in Schedule 2.