Television
Section 38: Local Content Contracts
Section 38 provides for the licensing of local content material and/or services. The BCI considers that Section 38 content contracts are more likely to be in the form of a block of content supplied to a cable or MMD system, to be combined with other licensed content. The programme content should also be of such a character as is likely to make it of special interest to persons living in that locality. The BCI may issue guidelines in respect of the general character of the programme material that may be supplied for the purpose of such contracts.
The Licensing Process
The Commission will accept applications for this service at any stage. In general terms, the level of information required is less arduous that that for services licensed under the 1988 Act. The information required is consistent with the requirements of the 2001 Act and the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive and other information which the BCI considers important. All applicants for content contracts will be required to present their proposals and to elaborate on their rationale for the service proposed, in the context of the provisions of Section 11(2) of the Broadcasting Act 2001.
Carriage of Services
All contracts entered into with the BCI are content contracts. This means that the BCI will only licence the actual programming of the television service. It will be a matter for the applicant and the carriage operator to negotiate for the service to be carried on cable/mmd.
Please click on the links below for further information on Section 38 contracts:
Television Licensing Policy Document
Television Licensing Application Fees