Ofcom: BBC violated licence by reducing Radio Foyle news output

Communications regulator Ofcom has stated that the BBC violated a condition of its operating licence by reducing news programming on Radio Foyle. Ofcom reported that the BBC delivered 300 fewer hours of news and current affairs content on Radio Foyle during the 2023/24 period than mandated. An Ofcom report evaluating the BBC’s performance in 2024 includes the specifics of this violation. The BBC has indicated its intention to ask the regulator to modify the operating licence to account for alterations in Radio Foyle’s programming. The communications regulator for the UK issues yearly reports assessing the BBC’s fulfillment of audience requirements. In its general assessment, Ofcom commented that “the BBC is delivering well against its remit for viewers and listeners”. As an example, the regulator noted that two-thirds of the audience in Northern Ireland hold a positive view of the BBC. Furthermore, Ofcom drew attention to the achievements of programmes such as Blue Lights and the BAFTA-winning documentary series Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, in 2023, the BBC reduced its two-hour breakfast programme on Radio Foyle to 30 minutes, as part of broader adjustments to its schedule and programming. This decision prompted several protests. However, by early 2024, the programme, known as North West Today, was expanded to an hour every weekday, running from 08:00 to 09:00. Despite this, Ofcom stated that the BBC had notified it that the reductions had led to a “breached its BBC Radio Foyle news and current affairs condition”. A spokesperson for the BBC commented: “We announced these changes in November 2022 and they were the subject of significant discussion.” The spokesperson added: “Ofcom approval hadn’t been sought at the time. We set out this mistake clearly in the BBC’s Annual Report and Accounts in July 2024.” The operating licence mandates that the BBC broadcast a minimum of 1,043 hours of news and current affairs programmes (including repeats) on Radio Foyle. The Ofcom report indicated that in June 2024, the BBC informed the regulator that it had failed to meet this quota. Ofcom stated: “In this case, the BBC has missed its quota by 300 hours, achieving only 71% of the required level of output.” The regulator’s report indicates that the BBC attributed the shortfall to “an internal miscommunication,” leading it to “incorrectly believed it would still be able to meet its quota for this condition.” Ofcom commented: “We consider that the quotas included in the Operating Licence are required to ensure the BBC continues to deliver content that reaches and serves all audiences.” It further added: “This is particularly the case where the quotas are intended to reach and serve specific audience groups, such as in this instance, where Radio Foyle serves audiences in the North West of Northern Ireland.” Ofcom concluded: “Non-compliance with these quotas is a potentially serious matter.” Ofcom stated that the BBC intends to submit a request to modify its operating licence “in relation to the Radio Foyle news and current affairs condition to reflect the current output”. The regulator indicated that it would evaluate the proposed changes upon receiving the BBC’s request and subsequently determine the appropriate course of action regarding the quota breach.