BBC Trust

The Trust has today published the final allocation criteria for the BBC’s regular Party Political Broadcasts, following a period of consultation.

The BBC is required to broadcast Party Political Broadcasts on some or all of its channels at various points throughout the year.

The last set of allocation criteria were approved in 2012 but after this year's General Election the political landscape had changed significantly enough to make the Executive propose changes.

The new allocation criteria for Party Political Broadcasts was drafted by the BBC Executive and the Trust put it out for public consultation between 15 October 2015 and 19 November 2015.

Amongst the changes to the current criteria is that a registered political party will now be eligible for a broadcast if they hold one seat or more in a relevant parliament or assembly in that nation. Previously a party has been required to hold a minimum of two seats.

The European Parliament has also been added to the list of relevant parliaments and assemblies in which a party will be eligible for a broadcast if it holds one seat or more. This list includes the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Along with holding one seat or more, parties will still need to demonstrate substantial levels of past as well as current electoral support in order to be considered for a Party Political Broadcast.

A summary of responses to the consultation together with the final approved allocation criteria for Party Political Broadcasts on the BBC can be found below.

Update of 8 January 2016

The BBC Trust has agreed that PPBs will not be shown on BBC Two, following a request from the BBC Executive to change arrangements for broadcasts due to begin next week. This is because technical issues mean the BBC can only broadcast party political broadcasts on BBC One for the time being.  The BBC is working on trying to resolve the issue in the longer term.  Annex A of the consultation outcome and allocation criteria document has been amended to reflect this.

8 Ionawr 2016

Mae Ymddiriedolaeth y BBC wedi cytuno na fydd Darllediadau Pleidiol Gwleidyddol yn cael eu dangos ar BBC Two, yn dilyn cais oddi wrth Dîm Rheoli’r BBC i gael newid y trefniadau ar gyfer darllediadau sydd i gychwyn wythnos nesaf. Mae hyn o ganlyniad i drafferthion technegol sy’n golygu mai dim ond ar BBC One y gall y BBC ddarlledu darllediadau pleidiol gwleidyddol am y tro.  Yn y tymor hir mae’r BBC yn gweithio ar ddatrys y mater. Mae Atodiad A canlyniad yr ymgynghoriad ar y meini prawf ar ddosrannu Darllediadau Pleidiol Gwleidyddol wedi ei ddiwygio er mwyn adlewyrchu hyn.