Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 September 2025
Letter from Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive, Ofcom, regarding Media Act implementation update, dated 18 July 2025
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of Ofcom
Summary
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom Chief Executive, updates the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on implementation of the Media Act. Ofcom is managing three new regulatory regimes (prominence for PSB internet players, VoD content standards, voice assistant radio access) and updating five existing regimes. New regimes will conclude by end-July 2026; updates to existing rules are on track for December 2025.
Key findings
- Three novel regulatory regimes require extended timelines: Part Two (PSB prominence on connected TV) aims for December 2025 Code of Practice; Part Four (VoD standards) consultation planned early 2026; Part Six (voice assistant radio) targeting September 2026.
- Five updates to existing frameworks are progressing faster, with finalised rules expected by end-December 2025 and updated licences issued January 2026, covering PSB quotas, Channel 4 production rights, listed events, and commercial radio deregulation.
- Ofcom has published consultations on local news regime (1 July), listed events (13 June), PSB quotas (15 May), and commissioning rules (January), with statement on quotas expected October 2025.
- Part Four (VoD) designation report to Secretary of State remains confidential per Media Act requirement; once designations made, Ofcom will consult on VoD Standards and Accessibility Codes reflecting existing TV broadcaster requirements.
- Ofcom working closely with DCMS to manage timing uncertainty posed by novel regimes and number of companies new to regulation.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
media-regulationbroadcastingonline-videopublic-service-broadcastingradio
Key actors
Dame Melanie Dawes, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Ofcom, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, BBC, Channel 4, DCMS
Notable line
“The work on new regimes inevitably requires more analysis, consultation and engagement, including with companies which are new to UK regulation …”
Key Quotes
“This letter summarises the key changes we are overseeing, highlights the progress we have made so far, and sets out our proposed timelines for the rest of our work.”
“… the implementation of the prominence regime under Part Two is a particular priority for the PSBs, as the Committee has heard from both Channel 4 and the BBC.”
“We expect that these will broadly reflect the existing requirements for TV broadcasters onto online streaming platforms, ensuring that audiences are protected from harm across the different platforms they use to watch content.”
“We aim to conclude Parts Two and Four by the end of July next year, and Part Six by September”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗