Broadcasting
The broadcasting industries in Scotland are a successful and expanding part of its creative industries. The Government is committed to developing Scotland as a production centre for television, film and new media and we are working to ensure that the right conditions exist in Scotland to allow the screen industries to flourish.
For more information, please visit the Scottish Screen website. Scottish Screen is the national agency for the development of the screen industries in Scotland. It is funded by the Scottish Government. The Government also supports Gaelic broadcasting
Scottish Broadcasting Commission
On 8 August 2007, the First Minister established a Scottish Broadcasting Commission, during a speech on broadcasting in Scotland. The draft remit and membership of the Commission were announced shortly afterwards.
Information on the Scottish Broadcasting Commission and details of how to provide evidence are available on their website.
Regulation of broadcasting
The regulation of broadcasting, including the BBC, is presently the responsibility of the UK Government. The UK Department responsible is the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the independent regulator for broadcasting in the UK.
Complaints
The Scottish Government is not involved in complaints about television or radio programmes, television channels or radio stations or problems about interference or reception.
- Complaints about TV or radio reception should be directed to Ofcom, the independent regulator for broadcasting in the UK;
- Complaints about the content of a TV or radio programme should be made to the broadcaster of the programme; and,
- If you are unhappy with the way a complaint has been treated by a broadcaster you may consider raising your concerns with Ofcom.
Digital Switchover
In the next few years, television is going digital. Analogue television transmissions will stop. The digital switchover will take place between 2008 and 2012, region by region. By the time the process is complete the whole of the UK will be receiving television in digital form, whether by terrestrial broadcasts, satellite, cable or broadband.
In Scotland, the first area to switch to digital is the Borders TV region, encompassing the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. They will switch over in 2008. The remainder of Scotland is scheduled to switch to digital during 2010.
The switchover process is being co-managed by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the Department Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and Digital UK. They have developed the Digital Switchover Programme to co-ordinate activities, together with other key stakeholders, until the process of digital switchover is complete.
For more information about digital television, including advice on how to get digital television, visit the Digital UK website.
