Uncertainty over legal status of local TV stations broadcasting on Freeview as legal process stopped by General Election.
- Ofcom had started preparing for the renewal of the licences to broadcast local TV services.
- Legislation allowing the ongoing broadcast of local TV had been due to be approved during the summer.
The UK’s 34 local TV services face an uncertain future, after legislation that would have allowed them to continue broadcasting beyond next year was scuppered by the General Election.
At the end of last month, Ofcom had begun preparing for the renewal process, setting out its approach and timetable for the licence renewals in anticipation of the Statutory Instrument that had been laid in Parliament being approved.
The subsequent dissolution of Parliament means that local TV channels are now in legal limbo.
What’s the situation?
As it stands, local channels including Bristol TV, Notts TV (Nottingham), KMTV (Kent) and London Live will be able to continue broadcasting on Freeview until 25th November 2025. This date marks the 12th anniversary of the first local TV channel coming on air.
Ofcom had wanted to begin the process of renewing licences for another nine years, subject to broadcasters meeting requirements relating to the provision of local news. The plan was to allow local TV channels to continue until 31st December 2034 in line with all other non-BBC Freeview broadcast licences.
Ofcom has told broadcasters it will now be for the next Government to decide how it wants to proceed. The regulator has promised to provide local TV operators with an update after the election.
Context
Local TV channels currently broadcast in some locations on either Freeview channel 7 or 8. Some have additional coverage on Virgin Media’s cable network. London Live is also available on Sky satellite.
Since launching, local TV channels have substantially reduced local programming as initial set-up funding from the licence fee ended. Many channels have struggled to attract sufficient viewers and ad revenue, with the original owners of local channels covering Birmingham, Cambridge, Grimsby, Liverpool, Norwich and Swansea selling up to one of the two main chains of local TV operators – Local TV Limited or That’s TV.
The channels have failed to dent the BBC or ITV’s dominance in regional news. It’s unclear how these channels have a long-term future as traditional digital TV platforms switch to IP-streaming.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Ofcom