Ofcom to focus on content standards, competition and performance when regulating BBC

As the new external regulator of the BBC from April, Ofcom said it would focus on content standards, protecting fair and effective competition and reviewing the broadcaster's performance.

As the government has decided that a new unitary board will govern and run the BBC and ultimately be responsible for editorial and management decisions, Ofcom will expand the role it already had across many of the BBC’s services.

The watchdog said it would “further the interests of citizens and consumers” and recognises that the BBC is the “cornerstone of public service broadcasting” in the UK, but it will not give it special treatment.

Ofcom is to enforce content standards so viewers and listeners can trust what they see and hear by creating a complaints procedure, protect fair and effective competition by imposing requirements that avoid public service activities and commercial enterprises distorting the market and will regulate the broadcaster's performance, in particular its obligation to serve all four corners of the UK’s nations and for diversity.

The BBC board, rather than Ofcom, will determine how to deliver the mission defined in the charter and set editorial guidelines.

Ofcom said it would also consult consult widely and be clear about its expectations and requirements of the BBC.

In the coming months, Ofcom is to develop an operating framework’ for the BBC, following a consultation, which will set out the regulatory tools that it will use.