Viewers of eight local channels across the UK will see major changes in the new year as TalkTV extends its reach.
The new deal with TalkTV, starting on 1st January 2023, follows an experiment in the autumn which saw local channels simulcasting TalkTV’s coverage in the aftermath of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
But it means the end of a five year term deal with CBS Reality that has given local TV viewers access to Judge Judy and other crime reality shows.
The changes affect local TV channels in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, North Wales and Teesside operated by Montgomery Media’s Local TV Limited. The channels operate on Freeview (channel 7 or 8, depending on area) and on Virgin Media.
From 8am on 1st January, the affected local channels will begin to simulcast TalkTV’s schedule for most of the day. Shows to be simulcast include Jeremy Kyle LIVE, Piers Morgan Uncensored and Tom Newton-Dunn’s First Edition.
The local channels will continue to insert their local news magazine programmes at various points of the day. This includes two hours at Breakfast (6-8am) and an hour at lunchtime (1pm).
The two hour evening news block, currently between 6pm and 8pm will be broken in to two sections. From 2023, local news will air at 6pm for an hour and again at 9pm.
CBS Reality bids to retain viewers
Ahead of the change, CBS Reality is showing an on-screen message advising affected local TV viewers to switch to Freeview channel 67, where the full CBS Reality schedule will continue to be available from 1st January 2023.
News UK and Local TV Limited have so far not commented on the changes.
▶ Context
Local TV channels are afforded extra prominence on the Freeview channel list by Ofcom. As a result, simulcast deals with local TV operators give commercial channel operators a unique opportunity to be seen on a high-ranking channel number in major towns and cities in the UK.
Meanwhile, rival operator That’s TV, which covers locations including Manchester, Norwich, Salisbury and York, has opted to create its own sustaining schedule, consisting of music videos and classic comedy. The national version of its channel, minus local opt-outs, is carried on Sky, Freesat and Freeview.
London Live and channels serving Kent, Nottinghamshire and Sheffield continue to run their own independent schedules.
Local TV schedule structure from 2023
For local channels serving Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Wales and Teesside
- 6am Local news
- 8am TalkTV
- 1pm Local news
- 2pm TalkTV
- 6pm Local news
- 7pm TalkTV, including Jeremy Kyle LIVE (7pm) and Piers Morgan (8pm).
- 9pm Local news
- 10pm TalkTV
- 2am-6am Local news (replay)
Update 3/1/23: Since publishing this article, News UK and Local TV Limited have issued a statement confirming the changes.
News UK’s Broadcasting Director of TV, Richard Wallace, said:
“I’m delighted to partner with Local TV as we continue to drive brand awareness for TalkTV. Only eight months old, TalkTV is reaching more and more people when and where they want to view our content; whether that be online, via the app, social media, streaming services or on linear TV. This partnership allows us to bring a national perspective to Local TV’s brilliant hyper-focused content on Freeview and Virgin Media.”