MPs have backed BBC proposals to make 60% of eligible radio hours available to competition from independent producers.
The figure is a big increase from the current 10%, and the Culture, Media and Sport Committee agree that the arrangements in relation to radio production should be written into the Framework Agreement ahead of the next Charter.
Radio Independents Group Managing Director Will Jackson said: “RIG is pleased that the Committee has agreed that the BBC’s proposal to allow indie radio producers to compete for 60% of radio hours should be written into the Framework Agreement.
“We welcome the Committee’s commitment to looking at these matters further and look forward to working with them. In the meantime RIG will continue to push for the first steps of Compete or Compare in radio to be introduced ahead of the next Charter.”
The Committee noted: “This will require clear lines of separation in the BBC commissioning process.
“We agree with RIG’s suggestion that the arrangements in relation to radio production should be written into the Framework Agreement; and we intend to return to this and related issues in future.”
RIG suggested that the BBC’s relationship with independent radio producers should be put on a similar basis to that with television producers through these provisions being written into the BBC’s Framework Agreement with the Secretary of State.