Media Act Tracker

On Friday 24th May 2024, the Media Bill was given Royal Assent and officially became the Media Act 2024. There are some formal steps remaining, with most parts of the Media Act set to come into force on a date to be determined by the Secretary of State (whoever that will be). We will update our Media Act Tracker with more information as these steps are finalised and as Ofcom travels through its “roadmap”. For more information, see our article here.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment is a systematic process used by the Government to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed regulations before they are implemented. The purpose is to assess the costs, benefits, and potential risks associated with new regulations, thereby ensuring that the Government makes well-informed decisions that take into account the potential effects on businesses, individuals, and society as a whole. To see CMS’ analysis of the Government’s Impact Assessments of the Media Act, click here. 

White papers are policy documents produced by the Government that set out their proposals for future legislation, providing a basis for further consultation and discussion, before a Bill is formally presented to Parliament.

Free Ad-Supported Television (“FAST”) channels deliver free TV content to viewers via Internet Protocol television networks, supported by advertising. The Media Bill does not make specific reference to the regulation of FAST channels, meaning that FAST channels will continue to fall under (or in most cases, outside of) existing regulations.

As FAST channels are expected to make up 20% of the UK’s ad-supported video market by 2027, the issue of FAST channel regulation will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and we may see FAST channels regulated in the future under additional legislation. Last year, the Government ran a consultation focused on electronic programme guides (“EPGs”), asking for inputs on which EPGs should be regulated. The approach for defining which EPGs are regulated will impact the types of services that appear on them (including FAST Channels), as channels that feature on regulated EPGs require an Ofcom licence. We are awaiting the result of the consultation but will update our Media Act Tracker when further information is published.

A bill can start in the Commons or the Lords and must be approved in the same form by both Houses before becoming an Act (law). Click here for further information.

Lucy Frazer, who has taken charge of a newly streamlined Department of Culture, Media, and Sport.

The CMS team are available to answer your questions and help you navigate through the changes to the UK’s media landscape brought about by the Media Act. Click the Contact Us box below to reach out.