Trust to examine BBC services in devolved nations in final service review of current BBC Charter period

Date: 09.11.2015     Last updated: 22.08.2016 at 12.04

Note: The final review was published on 17 August 2016.

The BBC Trust has today launched the final service review of the current BBC Charter period, looking at BBC radio, TV, online and current affairs programming in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The review will cover the performance of BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Alba, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru as well as looking at news and current affairs on television and BBC nations’ news online.

The review will assess how well these services are serving their audiences; their performance against the commitments set out in their service licences; and their ability to deliver on these commitments in future given the evolving nature of listening and viewing habits.  It will also look at whether the current service licences are fit for purpose and whether any changes need to be made. 

More broadly, the review will examine whether, in the context of an evolving UK, each nation is receiving the best service of international, UK and nations news from the BBC.

As part of the review process the Trust today launches a public consultation with audiences.  Trustees will use the feedback received in the consultation, along with a range of other data and audience research in reaching their final assessment of the services.

Elan Closs Stephens, BBC Trustee for Wales said:

“It’s vital that the BBC serves the whole of the UK in all its diversity.  Our last review of BBC radio in the devolved nations, told us that these stations produced distinctive programmes loved by a wide audience. 

“The review we’re launching today takes a broader look across BBC programming for each nation, and I would encourage audiences across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to get in touch to tell us how they rate their local BBC services on radio, television and online."

This is the second time that the Trust has looked at radio services in the devolved nations, but the first time that radio, television, online and current affairs services in the devolved nations have been reviewed together.

The terms of reference can be found here.

Notes to editors

  1. The review findings will be published in summer 2016.
  2. More information on the Trust’s previous reviews of BBC services can be found here.