Commentary on Sections Part 3: Television and Radio Services Chapter 2: Regulatory Structure for Independent Television Services Section 241: Television multiplex services
539.References in Part 1 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 to a television multiplex service are references to a service (i) which is broadcast for general reception, otherwise than by satellite, so as to be available to members of the public and (ii) which provides, or is capable of providing, two or more services which include at least one “relevant television service” (as defined in subsection (9)) for simultaneous broadcast on the same frequency.
540.Subsection (3) provides that it is not an offence to provide a television multiplex service that is not licensed under the Broadcasting Act 1996. Only where a wireless telegraphy licence provides that any television multiplex service being broadcast using the station or apparatus to which that licence relates must itself be licensed, shall that multiplex service require a licence. This will be assumed to be the case where the multiplex service is already licensed under the Broadcasting Act 1996 and the service is broadcast using a station or apparatus that is authorised by a wireless telegraphy licence. Where this assumption applies, and a person affected by it either ceases to be licensed under Part 1 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 or ceases to exist, OFCOM may revoke the wireless telegraphy licence relating to the provision by that person of the television multiplex service in question.