Outline of the Act Part 3 - Public service broadcasters
Channel Four Television Corporation (C4C) faces long-term sustainability challenges, in part because the linear advertising revenue on which it substantially relies is in decline. In this context, the Act gives C4C a new duty which requires that the Corporation carry out their activities in the way that they consider most likely to enable the Corporation to maintain or increase the amount of activity that is done in pursuance of their primary functions, and to securely meet the costs of carrying out its primary functions. The Act also provides C4C with additional flexibility to meet these sustainability challenges, and discharge their new duty, by removing a restriction on C4C’s involvement in programme-making.
	S4C is the UK’s only dedicated Welsh language broadcaster, and as such has a unique cultural and social value, as well as making a vital economic impact. S4C began broadcasting in 1982, and broadcasts sport, drama, music, factual, entertainment and events programmes, across a range of platforms. In response to the independent review of S4C, Building an S4C for the future, published in 2018, the Government committed to implementing a number of recommendations to support S4C in adapting to rapid technological and market change. The Act accordingly updates S4C’s public service remit, and provides greater clarity on its ability to invest and generate commercial revenue. The new unitary board and audit arrangements, recommended by the review and already implemented on an administrative basis, is given a statutory footing. Finally, this part also enables S4C and the BBC to agree an alternative arrangement for BBC support to S4C, which in the Government’s view better suits the evolving broadcasting landscape and the changing way in which people access content.