1st Report - Broadcasting in Wales

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the report and asks that its letter be accepted "in lieu of a formal response", setting out policy on the BBC, S4C, Ofcom and smart TVs, and agreeing with some recommendations while saying others are matters for the BBC or need no regulation yet.

• On S4C, the government has committed to a review in 2017 and says it will consider options, including terms of reference, "in due course". The Committee's findings "will be fully considered" within that process.
• The government welcomes the recommendation that the BBC be externally regulated with a Unitary Board, and says it set out its intention to do this in the White Paper. The Board will include a member for each nation, who should also possess "other relevant skills and expertise".
• The government agrees that the BBC needs to do more on portrayal of Wales and the other nations in commissioning, but says this is "an operational matter for the BBC" and not something Government should become involved in.
• On smart TVs, the government prefers to "see how UK consumers interact" with newer delivery mechanisms and how they affect public service broadcaster prominence "before looking at further regulatory measures".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error