Ofcom has approved a proposal allowing Local TV Limited to close its studio/production bases in Birmingham, Bristol and Teesside.
Content made for the local channels covering these areas will be sent electronically to the company’s Broadcast Hub for playout.
Local TV Limited said the changes will enable locally based journalists to cover more stories, as there is no longer a requirement for them to return to base. In approving the changes, Ofcom reasoned the proposal won’t “result in a difference in local content being received by viewers”.
With the change, the broadcaster’s remote operating model implemented due to the pandemic, will became the standard operating model.
Local TV Ltd, whose assets include the network of former Made In… television channels, will continue to have bases in Liverpool, Leeds, Cardiff and Sunderland. Ofcom previously allowed Local TV to move its North Wales base to join its existing Liverpool service.
Last year, Ofcom approved a similar application made by the operators of the That’s TV local network of stations. As a result, local news output for 5 out its 20 local TV channels is produced from outside the broadcast areas. That’s TV retains two studio sites: Glasgow and Manchester.
Most of the UK’s local TV channels are rapidly cutting back on their news output. That’s TV broadcasts music videos, teleshopping and old comedies outside of its 6pm local news programme. Local TV Ltd meanwhile simulcasts CBS Reality.
Local TV channels can be accessed on Freeview channels 7 or 8, depending on area.