Digital Services

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many representations the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has received from the commercial sector concerning the BBC's proposed new digital channels for television (a) in written form, (b) through formal ministerial meetings, or (c) through informal ministerial meetings; and which companies were involved on each case. [HL1158]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey
The department has received the following 38 written representations, including a number from commercial organisations: Artsworld Channels LtdBroadcasters Entertainment Cinematograph & Theatre UnionBroadcasting Standards CommissionBSkyBCarlton Communication PLCChannel 4Channel 5Children 2000Chrysalis RadioCommercial Radio Companies AssociationDeaf Broadcasting CouncilDigital OpenDiscovery Network EuropeFox Kids Europe LtdGranada plcGreater London AuthorityGWR GroupHistory ChannelIndependent Television CommissionITV NetworkKashmiri Association of Viewers and ListenersMTV Networks InternationalMusician's UnionMXR LimitedNational Consumer CouncilNational Union of JournalistsNickelodeonNMP—Anti Racist TrustNational Viewers & Listeners AssociationOndigitalProducers Alliance for Cinema and TelevisionPerformance—The Arts ChannelPublic VoiceRadio AuthorityTelewestTurner Broadcasting System InternationalWalt Disney Television ChannelVoice of the Listener and ViewerMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State met delegations of commercial companies on 21 February and 12 March to hear their views on the BBC's proposals.

21 FebruaryArtsworldBSkyBDiscovery Networks EuropeMTV Networks EuropeNickelodeonTelewestTurner Broadcasting System International Commercial Radio Companies Association Performance12 MarchChoice FMChysalis RadioCommercial Radio Companies Association

There have been no informal ministerial meetings.

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they accept that the provision of new public service, licence fee funded, digital channels could affect the take-up of digital television and radio throughout the United Kingdom. [HL1162]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey
As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State made clear on 21 February 2000 when announcing the outcome of the BBC funding review, the Government accept the Davies Panel's view that the provision by the BBC of high quality free-to-air digital services could affect the take-up of digital television. We believe this is equally true of digital radio.