Ofcom review of proposed BBC Three television channel

The BBC published a proposal to launch BBC Three as a television channel in January 2022. It has undertaken a public interest test, and the BBC Board has concluded that the proposal passes the public interest test.

In order to protect fair and effective competition, Ofcom must examine any significant changes which the BBC wishes to make to its TV, radio and online public services. This ‘invitation to comment’ is the start of our assessment of the BBC’s proposal to relaunch BBC Three as a television channel.

We carry out an initial assessment of the BBC’s proposal to decide if a further assessment of it is needed to determine if the proposal is justified in the context of its potential public value and impact on competition. We are giving stakeholders an opportunity to comment on this and seek initial views to understand how stakeholders consider the launch of BBC Three could affect them if it goes ahead.

Source: Ofcom