Changes in dealing with interference complaints

As of midnight on Wednesday 30 June 2010, listeners should no longer make complaints to Ofcom about interference to the reception of (domestic) broadcast television and radio services. Responsibility for investigating these complaints has been taken over by the BBC, in accordance with its charter, as a consequence of the termination of their long-standing contract with Ofcom to provide these services on the BBC's behalf. Such complaints, therefore, should now be made direct to the BBC.

These new arrangements are provided purely to guide consumers to the interference service provided by the BBC. It is not Ofcom's intention to change the current arrangements whereby broadcast licence-holders can contact Ofcom directly to report pirate radio activity affecting their service.

Complaints from listeners

All complaints from listeners, including those related to interference from illegal broadcasters, will be received by the BBC through their website. If further investigation and enforcement action is required, the BBC will then refer cases to Ofcom. Ofcom no longer accepts consumer complaints of interference from any source other than the BBC.

Accordingly, those licence holders who have a link to our website complaints form should now amend their link for consumer use to:

https://faq.external.bbc.co.uk/templates/bbcfaqs/emailstatic/interferencePage

This will take listeners direct to the BBC complaints platform where their information will be dealt with.

Radio licence holders

Licensed radio stations will still be able to contact Ofcom direct through the following link:

https://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/pirate-radio-interference-report

This will pass cases electronically to our Case Assignment Team, who will deal directly with your enquiry.

Ofcom is working to support the BBC during this period of transition, as well as to simplify the information on our website to ensure that consumers have a simple and efficient means to report interference issues.