Statement on Ofcom Decision on PSB Commissioning Codes of Practice

Pact is very pleased that Ofcom has listened to our concerns around allowing the Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) to seek bundling of primary and secondary rights with the independent producer’s consent and removing the prohibition on PSBs including matching rights provisions. Ofcom’s original proposals would have resulted in £356m in lost revenue by 2026 and undermined the original intention behind the Terms of Trade.

The market is already difficult for producers and Ofcom’s proposals would have had a detrimental effect on producers’ ability to raise finance and the diversity of supply of independent producers.

John McVay OBE, Chief Executive, Pact said: “We are very pleased that Ofcom has listened to the concerns of the sector. Their proposals would have had a substantial impact on programme financing and how producers negotiate with the PSBs.”