Published: Fri 14 Dec 2018
Broadcasters publish joint guidance note on Ofcom out-of-London definitions
The UK's PSBs (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) have today (Friday 14th December) published a joint guidance note on the application of Ofcom's out of London (OOL) definitions in order to give greater clarity to the independent production sector.
Together the PSB's invest hundreds of millions of pounds each year on programming outside London, supporting thousands of jobs in the creative industries in the nations and regions. Each individual broadcaster has their own quotas and commitments to meet, as set out in their regulatory licenses.
Recent debates in the sector and a number of responses to Ofcom's call for evidence have identified a need for greater clarity on how the definitions regarding substantive base, spend and crew should be applied in practice. In order to address this, and ensure greater consistency the PSBs have come together to produce the new guidance.
This guidance reflects both the Government's original policy objective to stimulate and strengthen production outside of London, and Ofcom's original intent that the definitions are sufficiently flexible to accommodate a range of circumstances. In particular the Ofcom Definitions need to combine serious local investment and talent development, with the need to accommodate their application across a wide variety of genres, locations, business models and local production ecologies.
This guidance is being published now to help support greater consistency for the new industry wide reporting requirements which the Broadcasters have been asked to introduce from January 2019, which asks for more detail about where production budgets are spent. Ofcom are due to consult soon on their review of regional TV production and programming guidance, but the conclusions of that review are unlikely to be known before spring 2019. If necessary, the guidance can be updated as required.
The note is structured around the criteria set out in paragraph 5 of the Ofcom Definitions. These criteria provide a framework against which to assess whether a programme is a regional production. They are designed to allow a range of approaches to regional production to be taken, encouraging diversity in business models and productions. Broadcasters and producers will therefore need to judge whether a commission qualifies as a regional programme against these criteria on a case-by-case basis.
The joint broadcasters said:
We are all clear that the overarching principle must be that: Every production qualifying as out of London' should make a meaningful contribution to the ambition to support talent development and strengthen regional production in the UK. We hope this guidance contributes to a wider understanding of what that means in practice for companies making productions across the UK.'
The guidance note is divided into three sections:
Section 1 sets out the guidance for production companies on the interpretation of the Ofcom Definitions to qualify as an out of London production. This includes further clarity on the definitions covering:
- a substantive base'
- production spend'
- production talent'
Section 2 explains how productions that do qualify are allocated to a particular nation or region; and
Section 3 provides guidance on the steps required by Broadcasters for producers to demonstrate compliance with the Ofcom Definitions, as this remains the responsibility of producers as set out in commissioning contracts.
The purpose of the document is to achieve clarity of expectation and best practice at the start of productions, improve understanding of progress, and what information is required at the point of delivery, or for clarification or audit purposes afterwards.
Copies of the guidance note can be found on each of the broadcasters commissioning websites, and will be in use immediately.
Ofcom Guidance on Regional Production and Regional Programme Definitions (commonly referred to as the Made out-of-London Guidelines) was published in 2010 and provides guidance on the application of quotas for regional programmes made by the four UK public service broadcasters: BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. In March 2018, Ofcom launched a Call for Evidence as the first stage of a review of the Definitions and Guidance. At that time, Ofcom stated that it would aim to publish a consultation (the second stage of its review) later in 2018. The four PSBs made submissions in response to Ofcom's Call for Evidence, copies of which are available on Ofcom's website.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
18/08/2026
Riedel Communications has announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, ...
18/08/2026
Company launch with stereo-imaging tool
Panoramic is the debut release from Panorama Labs, a new company formed by mastering engineer Nicholas Di Lorenzo. C...
18/08/2026
Control software now available for older interfaces
Focusrite have just announced the launch of an update that extends Control 2 software support their Scar...
18/08/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Lightware announces an integration with SpectralBot that helps system integrators and AV operators troubleshoot faster using augmented reality (AR), AI-assisted...
18/08/2026
Command Frame for After Effects
Scott Black August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Free download, demonstrations, hands-on tests, and creator resources
Want to t...
18/08/2026
At Stand 14.A57, the data company will demonstrate GreenDot and IBM Aspera together, giving media and entertainment businesses real-time visibility of what thei...
18/08/2026
New tool provides a robust audit of operational workflows, calculating the tangible value each delivers today, and informing business decisions for tomorrow.
W...
18/08/2026
Media Utilities is integrating its activities into DigiNet and will maintain a recognisable presence in the market under the name: Media Utilities, a DigiNet br...
Published: Fri 14 Dec 2018
