Media regulator Ofcom has concluded a fresh investigation into the owner of 22 local television channels, paving the way for the services to remain on Freeview until the end of 2034.
That’s TV, which operates local stations in locations including Belfast, Edinburgh, Grimsby and Sheffield, was investigated after Ofcom found several of its outlets had failed to broadcast sufficient first-run local news.
In return for a licence renewal, allowing That’s TV to keep its Freeview slots on channel 7 (or channel 8 in some areas) for the next nine years, Ofcom has directed That’s TV to strengthen its commitment to original local news and information.
The regulator raised concerns that some local channels had cut back their news output. It noted some were using repeated bulletins to meet licence obligations. In some cases, a 15‑minute evening bulletin was repeated in a loop during the early morning hours.
Ofcom’s Direction
Ofcom has issued a formal Direction to all local channels owned by That’s TV. With immediate effect, the channels must…
- Avoid rebroadcasting the same news stories for more than 24 hours after first transmission.
- Stop using information screens as the primary means of updating news.
- Count programmes towards its first-run quotas only when they contain refreshed or original material.
In response, That’s TV has promised to continue airing local news every weekday evening from 6pm to 7:30pm (extended to 9pm in some areas). It will air repeats on Tuesday-Saturday mornings. The company says its coverage will showcase “local voices” and cover a wide range of topics — from sport and business to arts, culture, music and community events.
In Sheffield, a deal remains in place with former operator Sheffield Community Media. The deal ensures a pipeline of new and archive programming on Sheffield’s local channel. A production base will continue in Sheffield.
That’s TV has faced several Ofcom investigations in recent years. In 2021, the network was found in breach of rules after airing violent content before the watershed. More recently, Ofcom ruled it had failed to maintain a sufficient local presence and missed deadlines for supplying information.
With licences now renewed, all local TV channels currently on air have been cleared to continue broadcasting until 2034. Local TV channels for locations including London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Liverpool were renewed in early November.
Nottingham’s Notts TV is the exception in the process — it chose to hand back its licence rather than sell it on or bid for a renewal. That’s in contrast to operators in Belfast, London and Sheffield who sold their licences on ahead of licence renewal.
By: Marc Thornham