CC invites evidence on possible changes to BBC magazine undertakings
1 Feb 2013
The Competition Commission (CC) is inviting evidence on whether to vary or remove the BBC’s undertakings which restrict the BBC’s ability to promote magazines which it also publishes.
The undertakings followed a 1992 report by the CC’s predecessor, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, which found that the BBC's use of free airtime to promote its magazines was against the public interest. Since then the BBC has sold the majority of its magazines business.
The CC has now received advice from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that the change in ownership of the BBC’s magazine business constitutes a change of circumstances which mean the undertakings may no longer be appropriate. The OFT recommends that the BBC should be released from the undertakings, or that they should be varied or superseded.
This review was carried out by the OFT as an own-initiative review. The BBC has not requested a review of these undertakings.
To comment on the OFT’s advice to the CC, please email Brid.McHugh@cc.gsi.gov.uk or write (by 22 February 2013) to:
Brid McHugh
BBC magazines review of undertakings
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1A 4AD
Notes for editors
1. The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries.
2. The OFT has a duty to keep under review orders and undertakings made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the Enterprise Act 2002 and, from time to time, to consider whether, by reason of any change of circumstances, an order and/or undertaking is no longer appropriate. The CC has the power to vary or revoke the orders and/or undertakings. It will now review the OFT’s advice and make a final decision.
3. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Siobhan Allen on 020 7271 0242.
