Performance against public commitments
Regulatory compliance
This section sets out the BBC’s compliance with the regulatory conditions in Ofcom’s Operating Licence. The BBC met all of its Operating Licence conditions.
The full detail of our compliance with Ofcom’s Operating Licence conditions can be found in our adjoining report Delivering Our Mission and Public Purposes. This report also collates our performance against the commitments we made as part of the 2025/26 Annual Plan.
From this year, information relating to our Access Services and Public Service Promotions obligations will be found in the Delivering our Mission and Public Purposes report, and information on Contestability and our Network Radio Supply obligations are now included in the Commissioning Report.
We confirm that we have fulfilled our obligations in each of these areas in accordance with the requirements set in the Charter and Agreement.
These reports can be found at About the BBC: Reports.
Other regulatory matters
Changes to the BBC’s UK Public Services and non-service activities
Under the Charter and Agreement, the BBC has to assess whether changes to UK Public Services are material. If the changes are material, we are required to carry out a Public Interest Test, which must then be approved by Ofcom before the change can be made.
In February 2026, the BBC completed a materiality assessment for the inclusion of channel advertisements in S4C live broadcasts on BBC iPlayer, a non-service activity. The BBC decided the change was not material. Ofcom reviewed our assessment and in April 2026 agreed that the planned change was not material.
In March 2026, the BBC completed a materiality assessment for the launch of an additional BBC Radio 6 Music branded stream on BBC Sounds. The BBC decided the change was not material. Ofcom reviewed our assessment and in April 2026 agreed that the planned change was not material.
Changes to the BBC’s commercial activities
Under the Charter and Agreement, the BBC has to assess whether changes to its commercial activities are material. During the period of this report there were no changes for consideration to the BBC’s commercial activities.
Regulatory complaints
Under the Charter and Agreement, the BBC is responsible for handling complaints, in a BBC First approach. This year we received one complaint regarding competition issues. We have not received any complaints regarding other non-editorial relevant requirements.
- Issue: Hours of original locally made programming
- Service: English Local Radio
- Date of complaint: 29 October 2025
- Outcome and remedy: No breach of Operating Licence
- Date of outcome: 9 February 2026
Audience satisfaction with the reflection, representation and serving of the diverse communities in the UK
The BBC needs to measure audience satisfaction during the financial year with the reflection, representation and serving of the diverse communities of the whole of the United Kingdom.
The Ipsos UK survey findings from 2025/26 show that by age band, gender, social grade, area of the UK, and amongst white audiences and Black, Asian and minority ethnic audiences and audiences who are disabled and not disabled, the proportion rating the BBC as effective on these measures outnumbers those saying ineffective. In some audience groups, whilst the majority or plurality of people surveyed rated the BBC as effective, this proportion of people saying the BBC was effective can be lower than the UK average or their comparator group. This indicates that some audience groups have less satisfaction with the BBC in this regard than others.
This year this was the case for C2DE compared with ABC1 audiences and Black, Asian and minority ethnic audiences compared with white audiences; and on some measures for people who are disabled compared with people who are not disabled, 16-34s compared with older audiences, men compared with women, and in Wales, as well as in Northern Ireland and the North of England in the BBC Accountability Tracker.
General duties
The Charter sets out a number of General Duties that apply to the BBC. This section sets out the BBC’s performance against these Duties – the measures for reporting were set out in the BBC Annual Plan for 2025/26.
1. Acting in the public interest
The BBC must act in the public interest, aiming to serve its audiences not just as consumers, but as members of a wider society, with programmes and services which, while seeking to inform, educate and entertain audiences, also serve wider public purposes. As a result, the BBC must ensure that the benefits (whether direct or indirect) of decisions relating to the mission or purposes outweigh the costs (whether direct or indirect); and have regard to economic, social and cultural benefits and costs.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will publish an Annual Plan and an Annual Report | YES |
We will publish the number of complaints upheld where we have failed to comply with the BBC’s obligations under the Charter and Agreement or with the Ofcom Operating Framework or World Service Licence | YES – see Other regulatory matters |
We will publish the number of complaints upheld on BBC editorial matters and overall volumes of complaints made | YES – see Editorial Standards Committee Report |
We will publish performance measurement data, including data on the fulfilment of the public purposes | YES |
2. Engagement with the public
The BBC must assess the views and interests of the public and audiences, including licence fee payers, across the whole of the United Kingdom. The BBC must make arrangements to ensure that the diverse perspectives and interests of the public and audiences, including licence fee payers, across the whole of the United Kingdom are taken into account in its decision-making.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will publish annually data on audiences’ views about the BBC as part of the Annual Report | YES |
We will hold around six face-to-face events with audiences and report on the findings in the BBC’s Annual Report, four of which will be delivered by the Board’s Nations Committees | YES – see Engaging with audiences |
3. Market impact
The BBC plays a crucial role in the UK media and broadcasting market. In addition to serving audiences directly by providing content and services, it can contribute to the market more broadly, for example by promoting competition, supporting supply chains and encouraging sector-wide innovation.
The BBC must have particular regard to the effects of its activities on competition in the UK. In complying with this duty, the BBC must (a) seek to avoid unnecessary adverse effects on competition and (b) promote positive market impact.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will publish and consult on any planned material changes | YES – see Other regulatory matters |
We will publish annually the number of regulatory complaints upheld and actions taken in response | YES – see Other regulatory matters |
We will publish the number of Ofcom enforcement actions in relation to compliance with the Ofcom Operating Framework in this area | YES – none |
We will publish the outcomes of any Public Interest Tests | YES – see About the BBC |
4. Openness, transparency and accountability
The BBC must observe high standards of openness and seek to maximise transparency and accountability. It must publish Board minutes, important decisions concerning changes to remit/services, and minutes of Committee meetings. The Board also needs to have regard to the benefits of consultation with interested persons.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will publish an Annual Plan that sets out the BBC’s strategic priorities, creative plans, budget and any planned material changes to services | YES – see About the BBC |
We will publish the following after the relevant event: • Minutes of the meetings of the Board • Important decisions concerning changes to the creative remit, work plan and material changes to the UK Public Services, non-service activities and commercial activities • Summary minutes of the meetings of committees of the Board | YES – see About the BBC |
We will publish an Annual Report and Accounts, containing a detailed summary of performance against our regulatory quotas; full financial details and accounts; and information required as part of our Equality Information Report | YES |
We will continue to publish the salary disclosures required under the Charter, along with our voluntary regime of quarterly salary and expenses disclosure for senior managers | YES – see Remuneration report |
5. Partnership
The BBC will work collaboratively and in partnership, especially in the creative economy, in the public interest. It should partner with a wide range of organisations of all sizes, including commercial and non-commercial, throughout the UK. Partnerships should be fair and beneficial to all with due attribution and recognition for partners.
Partnerships and collaborations across the BBC in 2025/26
| BBC area | Number of partners |
|---|---|
Content | 210 |
Nations | 73 |
Chief Operating Officer Group | 62 |
Technology | 21 |
Corporate Affairs | 8 |
News | 8 |
Chief Customer Officer Group | 2 |
Strategy | 1 |
Total* | 356 |
* A number of partner organisations appear in these figures multiple times because they are engaged in partnership work with more than one BBC division. Where this is the case, the partner is counted in each division they work with, for example, University College London counts in the totals for both Content and Technology, but only once in our overall total.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will collect and publish performance data on key partnership output and activities, including on the BBC’s range of partnerships, range of partners, geographical breadth, and impact. | YES – see above |
6. Diversity
The BBC must ensure it reflects the diverse communities of the whole of the United Kingdom through its output, the means by which its output and services are delivered, and in the organisation and management of the BBC. This includes support for the regional and minority languages of the UK.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will publish detailed diversity data for all our staff, including on socio-economic background, as part of our annual Equality Information Report | YES – see Equality information report |
We will continue to publish gender pay gap information, and analysis of our pay gaps for other groups | YES – see Pay gap report |
We will also publish performance measurement data collected on the fulfilment of our fourth public purpose | YES |
7. Technology
The BBC must promote technological innovation, and maintain a leading role in research and development. To do this, it needs to seek to work in partnership with other organisations and share, as far as is reasonable, its research and development knowledge and technologies.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will continue to invest in the BBC’s Research and Development (R&D) department in line with the BBC’s long-term objectives | YES |
We will continue to share our insights from R&D, for example using industry white papers and relevant professional gatherings, including standards bodies. We will use our web and social presence to highlight key messages to a wider audience | YES |
8. Stewardship of public money
The BBC exercises rigorous stewardship of public money in accordance with the following principles:
- Regularity – Management of all of the BBC’s resources must accord with the provisions of the Charter, Framework Agreement and other agreements the BBC enters into with Government Ministers
- Propriety – Management of all of the BBC’s resources must meet high standards of public conduct, robust governance and duly consider the expectations of Parliament (including those of the Public Accounts Committee), which have been formally communicated to the BBC
- Value for money – Procurement, projects and processes must be systematically evaluated and assessed to provide confidence about the economy, effectiveness and efficiency of the project, taking into account the wider public interest, not just that of the BBC itself
- Feasibility – Proposals using public funds should be implemented accurately, sustainably and to the intended timetable
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
True and Fair audit opinion from the BBC’s external auditors | YES |
We will report on our mechanisms for provision of information to the Board and the Audit and Risk Committee on compliance with the Charter, to ensure that the transactions reflected in the BBC’s financial statements have been applied to the purposes as intended and conform to the relevant frameworks governing them | YES |
We will comply with funding conditions as part of a separate funding agreement, e.g. grant funding for the BBC World Service | YES |
We will publish our response to Value for Money reviews conducted by the NAO or other commissioned parties | YES |
9. Guidance and best practice
The BBC has to have regard to general guidance concerning the management of the affairs of public bodies and generally accepted principles of good corporate governance, where applicable and appropriate.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
We will audit our voluntary compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code and principles of good corporate governance based on a general aim of compliance with the Code wherever possible | YES – see Governance |
Our Annual Report will set out the BBC’s performance against the Code; areas where the Code does not apply to the BBC; areas where the Charter overrides the Code; and areas where the BBC does not comply | YES – see Governance |
We will also publish an annual Equality Information Report, in compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty | YES – see Equality information report |
An annual statement on licence fee collection will be audited by the NAO and laid before Parliament | YES |
We will continue to comply with best practice in offering training on a range of issues such as anti-bribery, data protection and child protection | YES |
10. General duties in relation to commercial activities
The BBC’s commercial activities need to act in the public interest, engage with the public, and ensure openness and transparency. They must not distort the market nor gain an unfair competitive advantage.
| Measure | Achieved |
|---|---|
The Board will continue to keep under review the BBC’s compliance with Ofcom’s trading and separation requirements; commission annual independent assurance; review, consider and approve the BBC’s transfer pricing methodologies; and report progress in the BBC’s Annual Report. | YES – see Audit and Risk Committee report |
We will abide by our published policy on material changes to Commercial Activities | YES – see Other regulatory matters |
Our complaints framework includes a procedure for complaints about a failure to meet any commercial activities requirements | YES |
We will publish forthcoming potential material changes to commercial services in the BBC’s Annual Plan, subject to issues of commercial confidentiality | YES |
We will carry out the commercial test for any proposed material change to our commercial activities, and publish the proposed change once we have done so | YES – none |
We will continue to train key staff on compliance with the Fair Trading rules | YES – see Audit and Risk Committee report |
We will continue to meet our publication and information provision obligations to Ofcom, detailing the financial performance of our commercial subsidiaries and setting out detailed methodologies for transfer pricing within our group | YES – see Commercial Annual Report and Group Trading Manual |
We will publish the number of upheld complaints about compliance with the commercial activities requirements under the Charter and Agreement or in the Ofcom Operating Framework, and our response to such complaints | YES – none |
We will publish the number of Ofcom enforcement actions in relation to compliance with the Ofcom Operating Framework in this area | YES – none |
The Board will report annually on its work in the Annual Report and Accounts | YES – see Audit and Risk Committee report |
Distribution
Distribution of BBC content is key to delivering our mission and public purposes. The Charter requires the BBC to report on how it has made its output and services available to the public. This section sets out our progress this year.
- 98.5% Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) coverage of UK households
- 99% AM/FM coverage of UK household
- 97.5% DAB coverage of UK households
- 98% Satellite availability to UK households
- BBC iPlayer is available on >20,000 types of devices overall
- BBC Sounds is available on >20,000 types of devices overall
Note: The figures quoted for DAB relate to coverage for services carried on the BBC’s multiplexes. In addition, some nations and regions radio stations are made available via commercial multiplexes. BBC iPlayer is available on over 420 platforms (groups of devices) and BBC Sounds is available on over 250 platforms (groups of devices).
The BBC distributes its content with the goal of providing its audiences with full and convenient access to the services that are relevant to them. In 2025/26 we have continued to ensure that:
- We provide effectively universal broadcast coverage of our TV and radio services
- The BBC’s online video service, iPlayer, is available on more consumer devices (from smart TVs to games consoles and tablets) than any other streaming service in the UK
- Live and on-demand audio on Sounds is widely available for audiences to access across an increasing number of devices
- BBC services are amongst the most prominent on all devices they can be accessed
- That a fully digital future would achieve the best outcomes for our audiences
Our joint venture Everyone TV continued to accelerate the growth of its Freely TV platform. Since launching in spring 2024, Freely has significantly expanded its availability and content offering. Freely is now available through most television device partners and a range of plug-in devices, ensuring more households can benefit from free-to-air internet-delivered television. Freely now offers more than 70 live channels over the internet, alongside DTT channels and extensive on-demand libraries from the UK’s major public service broadcasters and other channel providers.
As audience preferences continue to shift towards online viewing and listening, the BBC remains committed to evolving alongside them. Through close collaboration with other PSBs and our joint ventures, we are continuing to improve the accessibility, usability and breadth of free-to-air television availability. The joint venture platforms play an increasingly important role in the transition of viewing from broadcast to online viewing, enhancing the connection between the BBC and audiences whilst establishing the foundations for a fully internet-delivered television future.
Broadband availability in the UK is now effectively universal, with 98% of households able to access a superfast connection, and broadband adoption on par with television ownership. Gigabit capable broadband is already available to the majority of premises and is continuing to expand rapidly. Government intervention through Project Gigabit is expected to close most remaining gaps, with 99% gigabit coverage anticipated by 2032.
We continue to work with partners to innovative in how audiences can discover, access and enjoy BBC content and services. Our deals always seek to both improve our prominence and better integrate with platforms and devices to make content more accessible. This includes, for example, rolling out continue watching – which allows people to easily dive back into the shows they started to watch – and more deep linking from partner UIs to access live events and channels.
We were also active in the DCMS’s stakeholder forum on the future of TV distribution. As this work will help shape TV distribution over the next decade, we wanted to ensure the audience, market, and cost dynamics were well understood. This will support policymakers in charting a path forward that delivers the best outcomes for audiences and the UK media economy. Some of the biggest opportunities and challenges lie outside the TV sector. This year, the BBC became a founding member of The Connection Project. This cross-sector partnership is actively championing digital inclusion to help everyone in the UK thrive in a digital society.
However, whilst we make progress where we can, we recognise the critical importance of the Media Act and welcome the focus from Parliament and Ofcom on the need to further reform the media landscape to address the growing imbalance between PSBs and global players. We continue to work with Ofcom to ensure the Media Act, a significant opportunity to ensure audiences benefit from significant levels of PSB prominence, is successfully implemented and engage with policy makers on what further renewal of the PSM model for the IP era may be needed.
