Ofcom awards first local TV licences
Grimsby and Brighton are trailblazers in local TV revolution
Ofcom has today awarded the first licences to run local TV services on digital terrestrial TV (DTT) in Brighton and Grimsby.
The awards follow new legislation enabling Ofcom to issue local TV licences.
The channels will broadcast on a specific ‘multiplex’, a discrete amount of spectrum reserved for local TV broadcasting on DTT.
The first two licences awarded are:
* Brighton: Latest TV Limited Latest TV
* Grimsby: Channel 7 Television Community Interest Company Lincolnshire Living
Licences are awarded for a period of up to 12 years. It is hoped that some channels may be on air before the end of 2013.
In May 2012, Ofcom invited applications to run local TV services in 21 local areas. In total, 57 applications were received to run the local TV services, along with 4 applications for the local multiplex.
As well as broadcasting on DTT, it is anticipated that local TV channels might also wish to offer their services on satellite, cable and online.
Ofcom will make further licence awards in the coming months.
A statement setting out the main reasons for the award of these local TV licences will be published by Ofcom shortly.