Approved application: Winter Olympics 2022

Discovery and the BBC have written to Ofcom to set out their plans for coverage of the next Winter Olympics (PDF, 182.7 KB), due to take place in Beijing from 4 to 20 February 2022. The Olympic Games are designated by the UK Government as a “Listed Event” which means broadcasters’ plans for live coverage may, in some circumstances, require Ofcom’s consent.

Given the public interest in this issue, we are publishing this note to explain why, in this case, the broadcasters’ coverage plans do not require consent from Ofcom.

As we recommended in our Public Service Broadcasting Review last summer, we think there is a case for Government to consider whether to update the Listed Events rules in a way that would best serve UK audiences and strengthen the benefits of the UK’s public service broadcasters.