Regulations to update the public service broadcasting quotas system

I am pleased to update the House that, following their publication in draft on 6 May 2025 on gov.uk, I can now confirm the following statutory instruments have today been laid in draft:

The Broadcasting (Regional Programme-making and Original Productions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025; and

The Broadcasting (Independent Productions) Regulations 2025

As set out in a Statement made by DCMS Minister Stephanie Peacock to the House published on 6 May 2025, these draft instruments make the necessary updates to the PSB quotas system introduced by the Media Act 2024, which includes permitting the delivery of relevant quotas across a wider set of services (including PSB on-demand services). To make this operable, the regulations – once commenced – will replace certain percentage quotas with a requirement to make a minimum number of hours of content available.

While the power to set the level of the original and regional productions quota is delegated to Ofcom, the DCMS Secretary of State sets the minimum level for the independent productions quota – which is included in the Schedule of the Broadcasting (Independent Productions) Regulations.

Both these draft instruments will be subject to the draft affirmative procedure, requiring debate and approval in both Houses before they can be made.