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Local TV Licences Awarded

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 736
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in Broadcasting #1
A bit sooner than expected, the first two local TV licences have been awarded, for Brighton and Grimsby.
Ofcom has today [12/9/12] awarded the first licences to run local TV services in two areas of the UK.

The new licences are for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) channels in Brighton and Grimsby.

The awards follow new legislation enabling Ofcom to issue local TV licences. The channels will broadcast on a specific ‘multiplex’, a discrete amount of spectrum reserved for local TV broadcasting on DTT.

The first two licences awarded are:

Brighton: Latest TV Limited
Channel name: Latest TV
Website

Grimsby: Channel 7 Television Community Interest Company
Channel name: Lincolnshire Living
Website

Licences are awarded for a period of up to 12 years. It is hoped that some channels may be on air before the end of 2013.

In May 2010, Ofcom invited applications to run local TV services in 21 local areas. In total, 57 applications were received to run the local TV services, along with 4 applications for the local multiplex.

As well as broadcasting on DTT, it is anticipated that local TV channels might also wish to offer their services on satellite, cable and online.

Ofcom will make further licence awards in the coming months.

A statement setting out the main reasons for the award of the local TV licences referred to above will be published on our website in due course.
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2012/09/ofcom-awards-first-local-tv-licences/

Comments

  • ftvftv Posts: 31,668
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    #2
    I was interested to read that the BBC will spend £5 million a year for three years buying material from local TV.
    In the first year starting next April each franchise holder will be expected to provide the BBC with a maximum of 125 stories per month. In the second year the BBC will buy about 50 stories a month; in the third and final year they will buy 20 stories a month. It seems the price of each story has been set at £1,000.BBC funding will end in March 2017.The BBC Trust is also to contribute £25 million for ''infrastructure.'' Won't this affect BBC jobs on regional TV ?
  • Mal80Mal80 Posts: 311
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    ftv wrote: »
    The BBC Trust is also to contribute £25 million for ''infrastructure.'' Won't this affect BBC jobs on regional TV ?
    I'm sure it has been budgeted for. It is a bit annoying though, it would be better if the government paid - like they do with the trains, but it was probably one of those bargaining chips to protect the licence fee.
  • SouthCitySouthCity Posts: 12,486
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    It's being funded from the digital switchover surplus, the part of the licence fee used to fund switchover advice and boxes for the elderly.

    As digital switchover is almost complete this is no longer needed so it has been reallocated to other uses, including local TV and broadband rollout.

    It isn't part of the BBC's operating budget.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 736
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    #5
    It's peanuts by BBC standards anyway but provides startups with a predictable income stream until they get going. Whether it is right and proper to use public funds this way is another matter.

    It also seems on the cards that DCMS thinking is that big national broadcasters will be quietly allowed to drop their regional content over a 5 year period. The BBC might be run as some sort of social media charity but ITV must see it's regional structure and content obligations as millstone that places it at a commercial disadvantage compared to, well just about anyone else.
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