The number of official complaints made about the BBC to the broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, fell during the last reporting year, according to new data. This decline comes even as the watchdog described a period of 'significant crisis' for the public service broadcaster.
A Drop in Formal Complaints
Data from Ofcom's annual report on the BBC, published on Friday the 29th of November 2025, revealed that the regulator received 2,204 complaints about BBC content in the year to the end of March. This figure marks a notable decrease from the 2,709 complaints logged in the previous 12-month period, representing a drop of just over 500 cases.
The report indicated this reduction was driven partly by fewer complaints concerning due impartiality compared to previous years. It also noted that the 2023/24 figures had been unusually high due to a spike in complaints related to the BBC's coverage of the Israel-Gaza war. Standard procedure requires audiences to first complain directly to the BBC before they can escalate their grievance to Ofcom.
Editorial Crises and Leadership Fallout
Despite the fall in complaints, Ofcom's report was framed by serious concerns about the corporation's stability. The regulator stated the findings come at a time of 'significant crisis' for the BBC, specifically 'involving editorial decision-making at the heart of its news and current affairs output'.
This crisis was highlighted by the resignations of Director-General Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness. Their departures followed a scandal involving a leaked memo from former editorial adviser Michael Prescott. The memo raised serious concerns that a speech by US President Donald Trump, featured in a 2024 Panorama episode, had been selectively edited.
In its report, Ofcom reiterated its call for the BBC board and executive to 'take a firmer grip' when things go wrong and to 'act swiftly and transparently when controversies arise'. The regulator emphasised that 'The BBC must continue to find new ways to secure audience trust, no matter how they access news, to help it remain a valued and trusted institution.'
Election Coverage and Recent Controversies
During the 2024 UK general election, Ofcom received nearly 400 complaints specifically about the impartiality of BBC election content. However, the regulator concluded that none of these complaints warranted a formal investigation. The report stated, 'On the basis of complaints we have received from audiences, the BBC has a good record of complying with broadcasting rules intended to ensure that programming is duly impartial.'
Since the period covered by the report, the BBC has been embroiled in further controversies. These include the live-streaming of a performance by punk rappers Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, where chants of 'death, death to the IDF' (Israel Defence Forces) were broadcast. The corporation has also faced misconduct allegations surrounding former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
More recently, Ofcom sanctioned the BBC for breaching the Broadcasting Code in its documentary 'Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone'. The sanction was issued after the corporation failed to disclose a narrator's links to Hamas.
Impact on Commercial Local News
Ofcom's report also addressed the ongoing concern about the BBC's expanded local news services and their impact on commercial providers. The regulator said it would continue to monitor the situation, noting that its previous analysis 'found no significant evidence that the BBC’s expanded output is causally linked to the declines experienced by commercial providers'. However, it acknowledged that these changes 'may be contributing to some degree'.
Owen Meredith, chief executive of the News Media Association, issued a strong warning. He spoke of a 'structural imbalance' and stated that the 'BBC’s rapid growth in online local news is contributing to the pressures faced by commercial providers'. Mr Meredith argued for a renewed BBC charter that introduces 'guardrails, transparency, and the competitive fairness needed' to ensure a balanced market.
In response, a BBC spokesperson welcomed Ofcom's findings, stating the corporation is 'pleased Ofcom recognises the changes that we are making to ensure all audiences get value from the BBC'. The spokesperson highlighted that 'impartiality is our absolute priority' and confirmed the BBC is taking further steps, including 'broadening the scope of the Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee' in light of recent events.
