The return of BBC Three to a broadcast channel has been provisionally approved by watchdog Ofcom.
The channel has been an online-only service since being taken off air in 2016 and carried acclaimed series like Fleabag, Killing Eve and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The BBC said it plans to relaunch the channel next January “to meet better the needs of 16-34 year old audiences who watch broadcast TV on a weekly basis but are light users of the BBC”.
Ofcom assessed the plans as part of its remit to promote “fair and effective competition” and concluded there could be “some loss in viewing for commercial broadcasters which could translate into a loss in advertising revenues” but that it would not impact the viability of rival stations.
It said: “We agree with the BBC that there is personal and social public value associated with the proposals.
“If the BBC can achieve the aims of the proposal of providing underserved younger audiences with a deeper engagement with BBC content, we consider that it could have significant short and longer-term benefits.
“Overall, we have provisionally concluded that the additional public value created by the proposals justifies the limited adverse impact on fair and effective competition.”
A public consultation on the plans has been launched and ends on October 14.
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