Commentary on Sections Part 3: Television and Radio Services Chapter 4: Regulatory Provisions Section 309: Quotas for independent programmes
653.OFCOM are to include in every licence for a digital television programme service that is not comprised in a licensed public service channel conditions to secure that at least 10 per cent of the time allocated to the broadcasting of qualifying programmes in the service is allocated to the broadcasting of a range and diversity (judged both in terms of the types of programmes involved and of the cost of their acquisition) of independent productions. The Secretary of State may, by order, and having consulted OFCOM, vary this percentage and determine what are to be considered “qualifying programmes” and “independent productions”.