Creative Industries UK-wide

Which broadcasting regulations apply to your business

Broadcasters — television, radio, community radio, on-demand programme services and transmission providers — carry workplace-safety duties as employers and face a separate layer of Ofcom licensing and content-standards obligations specific to broadcasting.

Guide summary

Operate your broadcasting business safely and legally by following workplace health and safety law and getting the correct Ofcom licences. Run a safe operation under the Health and Safety at Work Act (enforced by HSE) and comply with Ofcom's Broadcasting Code for your TV, radio or on-demand service. Failures can lead to unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.

  • Run a safe broadcasting operation – follow health and safety law for studios, rigging, outside broadcasts
  • Get an Ofcom licence for TV, radio or on-demand services
  • Register your on-demand programme service with Ofcom
  • Follow the Broadcasting Code and PECR privacy rules
  • Employers must protect employees and visitors from harm ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’
  • Penalties for health and safety breaches: unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison
  • Use the broadcasting compliance checklist to confirm you have covered everything
  • Health and safety is enforced by HSE in Great Britain, HSENI in Northern Ireland
On this page

Related guides in Compliance & Legal

Broadcasting is regulated at two levels. As an employer running studios, control rooms, outside broadcasts and transmission sites, you carry workplace health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates in Great Britain and HSENI in Northern Ireland.

On top of that, Ofcom — the UK-wide communications regulator — licenses television and radio services, registers on-demand programme services, licenses spectrum use, and enforces the Broadcasting Code. These duties are specific to broadcasting and apply UK-wide.

What you need to do

  1. 1

    Run a safe broadcasting operation and employ people

    Whatever you broadcast, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe broadcasting operation" for your health and safety duties around studios, rigging, electrical equipment and outside broadcasts, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

  2. 2

    Get your broadcasting licences and meet Ofcom duties

    If you provide a television, radio or on-demand programme service, or operate transmission equipment, you need the right Ofcom licence or notification. Follow "Get your broadcasting licences and meet Ofcom duties" for each licence type, the Broadcasting Code and PECR privacy rules.

  3. 3

    Confirm you have covered everything

    Finish with the broadcasting compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met.

Official sources

Authoritative starting points for broadcasting businesses.