Ofcom publishes digital replacement licences

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UK Media regulator Ofcom has published final versions of digital replacement licences (DRLs) to be offered to the UK's commercial terrestrial broadcasters.

The DRLs will replace analogue licences held by ITV, Channel 4, Five and Teletext Limited. The licences stipulate public service requirements set out in existing analogue licences, together with new digital switchover obligations.

ITV, Five and Teletext have been sent final DRLs for consideration while Channel 4 has been sent a revised draft DRL. If ITV, Five and Teletext accept Ofcom's licence terms, the DRLs must be issued no later than December 28, 2004.

The publication of the DRLS follows an Ofcom consultation in September. Ofcom says it will add to the DRLs plans to switch off analogue television on a region-by-region basis. The proposed sequence for this process will be published early in 2005, and after agreement with broadcasters, added to the DRLs no later than the end of April 2005.

DRL holders will be obliged to inform viewers about certain matters relating to digital switch-over such as the region-by-region timetable. A backstop switchover date of December 31, 2012, is included in the DRLs.