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...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
Published: Fri 14 Dec 2018
