Broadcast regulator Ofcom says That’s TV did not respond to its requests for information about the service it provides.
- Local TV channel operator already found in breach of rules in December
- Its main licences are up for renewal within months
- Ofcom says licence breaches won’t necessarily stop it from renewing licences.
That’s TV, operator of multiple local TV services in England, Scotland and Wales and a number of classic entertainment and music channels, has been found to have breached its broadcast licence conditions for the second time in less than two months.
In mid-December, the company was found in breach for failing to offer adequate levels of local news on its channels. That’s TV failed to film a single news report from within some of the broadcast areas of its local channels, raising doubts over what constituted local news on the channel.
Now That’s TV has been told off by Ofcom for failing to respond to requests for information about the service it provides, including information on third-party financing of first-run programmes on its channels.
The request was part of a routine request for information from public service broadcasters (PSBs) including That’s TV, which counts as a PSB because it holds licences to operate local TV services.
Ofcom noted it had sent a request via first class post and email, but hadn’t received a response by its deadline. It then extended the deadline, only for that to be missed. Ofcom eventually received the information it wanted nearly three months late. That meant essential data couldn’t be included in Ofcom’s Review of Public Service Media, which was published on 17th December.
Ofcom has recorded breaches of licence conditions against all of That’s TV’s national channels. They are: That’s TV, That’s TV2, That’s Fabulous (now That’s Oldies), That’s Christmas (now That’s TV3) and That’s Melody.
Could repeated breaches of its broadcast licence conditions lead to channels coming off air?
That’s TV’s local TV licences expire in November 2025. The Manchester-based company will need to apply for a renewal, alongside all other local TV operators by the end of March. At present That’s TV holds more local TV licences than any other company. It operates channels in locations as diverse as Carlisle, Edinburgh, Norwich, Scarborough and Swansea.
As part of the process, Ofcom says it will review each local TV company’s compliance history. This will include “any recorded breaches or open investigations”. However, the regulator also confirmed that breaches does not mean it will automatically refuse to renew the licence.
Should That’s TV also miss this deadline Ofcom, local channels could go off air.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Collage That’s TV/Ofcom