Consultation outcome

Consultation on the renewal of local TV licences

Updated 2 February 2024

1. Executive summary

In 2011, the government announced the creation of a new framework for local TV across the UK. This framework aimed to establish a new generation of local TV services, giving them access to the digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform for the first time, ensuring their prominence on electronic programming guides, and creating a local media sector that would be robust and economically viable.

At the time, the government identified a gap in the broadcasting landscape, and saw an opportunity for local TV to act as a new voice for local communities. The government was also keen to ensure that these services contributed to economic growth in the creative industries, fostered local journalism and engaged with communities to bring them together around a shared voice and interest. This framework was the catalyst that eventually led to the creation of the 34 local TV services that we know today.

A decade on from the launch of the first local TV service in 2013, the sector has weathered many challenges – including the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in viewer behaviour and rising production costs. Whilst the services continue to play an important role in the wider broadcasting ecosystem through their ability to provide local news and content – particularly to those who are digitally excluded – some have struggled to generate stable revenue streams, maintain consistent audience numbers, and sustainably fund genuinely local content.

The licences for the local TV multiplex, and for all 34 local TV services, are due to expire on 25 November 2025. In the Broadcasting White Paper, Up Next, the government committed to changing the local TV licensing regime to enable the renewal of the local TV multiplex licence until 2034. This would mirror the changes to the national DTT multiplex licensing legislation made in 2021.

Although not a legal requirement, the government confirmed that it would consult on the detailed arrangements for the renewal of the local TV multiplex licence and any conditions of renewal. We also said that we would consult on options for the renewal or relicensing of individual local TV services at the same time.

This 12-week consultation, which is open to both industry participants and members of the public, sets out the government’s proposals for the future of both the multiplex licence, and, in turn, the individual services across the UK.

In summary, the government is consulting on:

• the arrangements for the renewal of the local TV multiplex licence and the conditions that will form part of this

• the arrangements for the renewal, or relicensing, of the 34 individual local TV services currently operating across the UK, and the conditions that will form part of this

We are also seeking views on the current statutory objectives for local TV services.

Responses from all individuals or organisations on the specific consultation questions and content of the consultation document are welcome. The consultation will close on 13 September 2023 at 23:45 BST.

A summary of in-scope responses submitted to this consultation and the government’s response will be published in due course, following the closure of the consultation. Responses will also be used to inform any impact assessment(s) produced in relation to the proposals set out in this consultation.

2. Introduction

There are currently 34 local TV services across the UK, each covering a distinct geographical area. They complement the national public service broadcasters (the BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and S4C) by providing distinctive local content, including news and current affairs.

Map of local TV stations across the UK and their coverage as of 7 August 2019 (source: Ofcom/broadcasters)

These services are carried on the local TV multiplex (“Multiplex L”), which also carries a number of national services. Local TV services are accessible in approximately 15 million households in the UK. However, coverage varies quite significantly in each area. For example, the local TV service in London broadcasts to 4 million homes – equating to 27.4% of the total coverage for the entire sector – whereas services operating in less populous conurbations such as Salisbury can broadcast to as few as 27,000.

Like the national public service broadcasters, all local TV services have enforceable programming commitments, generally to provide a certain number of hours of local programming each day. These commitments are annualised, an approach intended to provide maximum flexibility to the sector as it develops.

Providers initially struggled to achieve the programming output as set out in their licence applications, which resulted in many of the licensees requesting reductions in the amount of local content that they were required to broadcast. However, outside of these reductions, failures to meet programming output obligations have only been noted by Ofcom a handful of times over the last 10 years.

Case study: Notts TV

Launched on 27 May 2014, Notts TV is a local TV service that broadcasts 24 hours a day to the city of Nottingham and surrounding areas. The channel is currently on Freeview channel 7, Virgin channel 159, and BT/YouView channel 7.

Programmes include a daily, hour-long local news show, and series covering history, sport, music, culture, and debate. The channel is also the base for three local political reporters, forming part of the BBC licence fee-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service.

To support local journalism, training programmes are provided in production, news reporting and technical roles, which enable students from Nottingham Trent University to gain hands-on experience.

The service also has a strong digital presence, with an extensive on-demand service, and its online content and social media presence helping younger viewers engage with local issues.

The current legislative framework for local TV is provided by the Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012, which was made under section 244 of the Communications Act 2003. The Order applies the necessary legislative changes to the 2003 Act, as well as the Broadcasting Act 1996, to permit Ofcom to issue the necessary licences and set out the process they must follow when doing so.

The launch of the first local TV services under this new framework, commencing in 2013, was initially supported by up to £40 million of TV licence fee funding. This included £25 million in capital funding, which covered the development of the local TV multiplex. A separate £15 million scheme to support local television news ran from 2013 to 2020.

Whilst local TV receives no continuing central government subsidy, services benefit from significantly reduced DTT transmission costs, due to co-ownership of the local TV multiplex, and from prominence on DTT and other linear TV platforms due to their status as public service channels.

The financial climate for local TV since 2013 has been a challenging one. A number of the initial licence holders, including STV in 2018, sold their interests as the sector consolidated operations and services in order to reduce costs.

These challenges – the combination of changing technology, long term shifts in viewing and the particular impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – are not specific to local TV, and have been experienced across the wider broadcasting ecosystem. For example, most broadcasters have seen a fall in linear TV consumption due to the rise of online and particularly video-on-demand services. Ofcom’s 2022 Media Nations report noted that broadcasters’ viewing share fell to 59% in 2021, down from 61% in 2020 and 67% in 2019. As such, the government understands that maintaining linear viewership while simultaneously attracting audiences on new platforms is one of core challenges that the entire sector will need to address.

The context the local TV sector has been operating within has also changed. In particular, the government notes that local journalism has undergone significant change since local TV licences were first issued. News publisher revenues have declined as the sector has sought to adapt to sustainable online-focused business models, leading to the widespread closure and merging of local newspaper titles.

Despite these challenges, in April 2023 total linear TV set viewing remained strong at 2 hours, 22 minutes a day, and viewers continue to turn to our public service broadcasters and local TV providers alike for trusted news and high quality, original programming. We believe this will remain the case long into the next decade. Indeed, while nearly half of UK adults now consider online video services to be their main way of watching TV and film, 17.3 million homes still access digital terrestrial TV via an aerial, 8.4 million households subscribe to satellite television and 3.9 million have a cable TV subscription.

3. The government’s approach to local TV

For the viewer, the government understands the significance of seeing your local city, town or village on screen; the excitement of realising your local area has a hub of regional news and journalism; the importance of creating new entry routes into the creative economy; and how this drives growth and increases pride of place.

For this reason, despite some of the challenges faced by the sector, the government continues to support the continuity of local TV services – services that form part of the local democracy that we know across the UK. These services are prioritising local content and opportunities for those watching, and we want to ensure that viewers across the UK continue to reap these benefits from local TV.

Looking ahead to the next ten years, our aim is to work with the sector to ensure the objectives outlined for local TV outlined in the 2011 framework are delivered, and where possible built upon. To support this, the government will continue providing the regulatory benefits that local TV services have received since 2013, whilst also leaving space and autonomy for greater collaboration and innovation. These benefits include, but are not limited to, continued access to DTT and prominence on DTT and other linear TV platforms.

Since 2013, consolidation has taken place across the sector and the picture of local TV across the UK has changed significantly. Large industry players have also started to maximise the unique benefits of being able to broadcast to a particular regional audience, and this upturn in interest shows that the sector is increasingly seen as a viable investment opportunity.

The government recognises the potential benefits that innovative approaches to service delivery – including, as appropriate, partnerships with other media organisations – could have on the financial sustainability of the sector. However, we are equally clear that any financial (and other) benefits of these partnerships should be reinvested back into the sector – whether into improving the quantity or quality of local content, or longer term initiatives to ensure service offerings keep pace with changes in TV consumption patterns, such as the development of video-on-demand and internet-delivered (IPTV) services.

As set out above, the licences for the local TV multiplex, and for all 34 local TV services, are due to expire on 25 November 2025. The government must now make arrangements to secure continuity of local TV beyond 2025.

3.1 The local TV multiplex (Multiplex L)

The local TV multiplex carries all 34 local TV services, as well as a number of national services. The issued share capital of the multiplex provider, Comux UK Ltd, is 34 shares, with these shares being held by the providers of the 34 local TV services on the basis of one share per service.

How does a Multiplex work?

Before digital television, analogue services were broadcast from a transmitter on individual frequencies. Digital television modernised this process, allowing different television services to be grouped into a multiplex, and broadcast on a single frequency.

A multiplex compresses and bundles a number of television services into one frequency and transmits it digitally. The frequency is then decoded by either a digital TV or by a separate set-top box. This allows broadcasters to use the spectrum allocated to television more efficiently, giving consumers more choice when watching digital television.

The current 12-year multiplex licence was made by Ofcom pursuant to Part 1 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (as modified by the Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012), and came into force on 26 November 2013. The multiplex licence is scheduled to expire on 25 November 2025 (unless earlier revoked in accordance with the conditions of the licence).

As part of the licence award process, bidders were required to submit both a technical plan and a promotional plan. The latter set out their proposals in relation to the promotion of local digital television programme services. In the case of the winning bidder, Comux, this included a commitment to ensure that all profits derived from the national services carried on the multiplex, as well as any other commercial activities, are used exclusively for the purposes of operating and promoting local television services. The income generated by these services is a vital source of revenue for both Comux and ultimately the sector.

Preferred approach

The local TV multiplex plays a vital role in the structure of the local TV ecosystem, acting as the core foundation for the carriage of all individual services. As set out in our Broadcasting White Paper, the government believes that to secure the best outcome for these services, a renewal of the multiplex licence (subject to appropriate conditions) should take place. This will ensure the greatest level of stability over the next licence period, and will lay the foundation for greater collaboration and investment across the sector.

Since the publication of the White Paper, the government has been considering what arrangements should be made for the renewal of the multiplex licence. The government’s view, at this stage, is that the renewal of the multiplex licence should be subject to the satisfactory completion of a review process overseen by Ofcom (as the independent regulator).

For the purpose of consultation only, we have broken this process down into two stages:

1. Ofcom would undertake a performance review of the multiplex, including appropriate scrutiny of the current provider’s regulatory compliance to-date. Ofcom would ensure that appropriate due diligence has taken place, and the multiplex provider would have an opportunity to make representations. We expect Ofcom’s conclusions to be made available to Parliament, and published online.

2. The current multiplex provider would be invited to submit revised technical and promotional plans. When detailing these proposals, the multiplex provider should evidence how it would support local TV services over the next licence period (2025 to 2034) – with appropriate consideration given to the local TV objectives set out below – and address any concerns identified by Ofcom. Ofcom would be expected to publish both plans online, subject to any necessary redactions.

This renewal would also be conditional on the incumbent provider (Comux) agreeing to the same “spectrum management” break clause as the main national multiplexes.

Assessment of this approach

The government believes that this approach to renewal of the local TV multiplex licence balances the need for both transparency and regulatory certainty.

The government’s understanding is that, at a high level, Comux has been successful in delivering its obligations under the technical plan, as well as the core requirements of the promotional plan, on a financially sustainable basis. However, the government is also aware of concerns in relation to the implementation of two further aspects of the promotional plan (establishment of the Local Television Charitable Trust, and use of profits derived from the national channels and other commercial activities for the purposes of operating and promoting local television services). For this reason, the government is of the view that the approach outlined above would be proportionate.

A renewal of the multiplex in the manner described would in turn automatically extend all of the benefits that the services receive in relation to reduced DTT transmission costs, which we believe will continue to ensure the accessibility of local TV services and content for viewers across the UK.

Q1. Do you agree with the government’s preferred approach concerning the arrangements for the renewal of the local TV multiplex licence?

Q2. Do you have any evidence you would like to contribute relating to the benefits or costs of this approach? Please consider both monetisable and non-monetisable benefits and costs; and both one-off and ongoing benefits and costs.

3.2 Individual local TV services

There are currently 34 local television services across the UK. These services are all individually licensed by Ofcom and carried on the local TV multiplex (as outlined above).  A number of different business models are employed in the sector, with several providers adopting not-for-profit status. Others have partnered with local press or academic institutions.

Viewing figures for local TV services are stable, but often low when compared to the channels that appear around them on electronic programme guides. In April 2023, the total combined reach of the services provided by the That’s TV Network (who hold the largest number of licences) was 3.5 million, representing 0.19% of viewing. The single largest service, London Live, saw 1.3 million tuning in for a 0.03% share of viewing. This suggests total viewing for the local TV network is around 0.25-0.30% – more than ITV’s fifth channel (ITVBe) but less than Channel 4’s fifth channel (4seven). This includes viewing of both local and non-local programming. Average local programming hours fell from 1732 in 2015 to 1140 in 2018, before rebounding to 1404 in 2020 (despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Since the launch of the first individual local TV service in November 2013, there has been significant consolidation across the local TV sector, with two licence holders now owning more than 75% of all individual licences across the sector – contrasting with 2014, when half of licences were held by independent licensees.

Licence holder	No. of licences held	Broadcast location
That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	20	Across the UK
Local TV Limited (formerly The Made TV Group)	8	Across the UK
Northern Visions Limited	1	Belfast
ESTV Limited	1	London
KM Television Limited	1	Maidstone (Kent)
Latest TV Limited	1	Brighton
Notts TV Limited	1	Nottingham
Sheffield Local Television Limited	1	Sheffield

Ofcom explored the extent of this rapid consolidation in their 2019 Media Nations report. In summary, the report notes that:

As above, in 2014, there were 14 local services available. Seven of the licences were held by independent licensees. The Made TV Group (now Local TV Ltd) held five licences; That’s Media Group held one; and STV held one.

In 2015, there were now 20 local services available. Nine of these were provided by independent licensees; five by Made TV; four by That’s Media and two by STV.

In 2016, the number of available services increased again to 22. By this time, there were ten independent services; six services provided by Made TV; four by That’s Media and two local TV services offered by STV.

By 2017, the first significant change in the composition of the market started to take place: two independent licensees left the market, leaving eight services offered by independents; eight services provided by Made TV; 12 licensed services provided by That’s Media; and five by STV.

In 2018, the sector underwent further changes as the number of services provided by independent licensees fell further, from eight to six, with Estuary TV transferring their two licences to That’s Media, who also acquired STV’s five licences.

One result of this consolidation is that a single licence holder, That’s Media, now controls 20 of the 34 shares in the current multiplex provider and therefore has significant control of the multiplex provider.

Ofcom suggested that the rapid consolidation experienced by the sector could be a reflection of the challenging market in which the licensees operate. The phased, but relatively rapid, expansion of the sector between 2013 and 2018 also provides greater context for some of the challenges that the sector is currently facing today.

Despite these challenges, the sector has experienced significant stability over the last five years, with no further changes of ownership since 2018.

This stability can also be seen through the relatively small number of programming commitment reduction requests that Ofcom have received in recent years, with the last significant request to reduce the quantum of these commitments approved by Ofcom in 2019.

Preferred approach

Since the publication of our Broadcasting White Paper in April 2022, the government has been considering various options for the future of the 34 individual services to determine how to secure the best future for local TV. These options have included, but are not limited to: a full relicensing process, an automatic (“fast track”) renewal process, or a conditional renewal process. At this stage, the government’s preferred approach is to move forward with the conditional renewal of all 34 local TV service licences.

As with the multiplex renewal, and for the purpose of consultation only, the proposed process can be divided into stages:

1. Ofcom would undertake a performance review, including appropriate scrutiny of the licensee’s regulatory compliance to-date. Ofcom would ensure that appropriate due diligence has taken place, and the service provider would have a chance to make representations. We expect Ofcom’s conclusions to be made available to Parliament, and published online.

2. Ofcom would invite the provider of each local TV service to submit proposals outlining the ways in which it anticipates its service(s) meeting the objectives for local TV (see next section) over the next licensing period (2025 to 2034). This would give providers the chance to detail their vision for their service(s), and evidence how they hope to deliver these ambitions. Ofcom would be expected to publish these proposals online, subject to any necessary redactions.

3. Ofcom would assess the provider’s proposals and only approve renewal if they were satisfied the provider would be able to maintain current (2023) levels of service delivery over the next licence period.

Should the current provider choose not to apply for the renewal of their licence, or Ofcom decide not to approve such a renewal, the government anticipates inviting Ofcom to move forward with a competitive relicensing process under its existing powers.

Assessment of this approach

The government believes that a conditional renewal of all 34 local TV services is the approach most likely to successfully deliver our ambitions for the sector. This approach would provide immediate stability and clarity for all individual services currently in operation, whilst also confirming the continuation of the regulatory benefits (described above) that they need to flourish.

In particular, we believe that this approach provides the best prospect of ensuring that the objectives for local TV outlined in the 2011 framework are delivered sustainably over the next licence period (2025 to 2034). The delivery of these objectives will be crucial in securing the relevance of local TV content for future audiences across the UK, particularly as we move into a more competitive, digital landscape.

Further, the government believes that a conditional renewal process could be undertaken in a proportionate manner, recognising that a more intensive process may bring some additional benefits, but also considerably higher costs.

Other options considered

(a) An automatic renewal process

On this option, the government would move forward with an automatic (“fast track”) renewal process for all individual local services. Automatic renewals would ensure that all 34 local TV services had a swift and immediate rollover into the next licence period (2025 to 2034), and would alleviate concerns within the sector about the future licences – particularly as we approach the current licence end date (25 November 2025).

However, the government does not believe that an automatic renewal would sufficiently address the existing challenges faced by some local TV services, including in relation to their distinctiveness and financial sustainability. In particular, although the immediacy of a renewal would alleviate the concerns of licence holders, it is unlikely to maximise the potential benefits that the government sees for local TV.

(b) A competitive relicensing process

Alternatively, the government could move forward with a competitive relicensing of the individual services. This process would open up the licences to new ownership, and would entail Ofcom inviting external bids.

Following discussion with the sector, we do not believe that a competitive relicensing process would be beneficial to the sector, nor would it address any of its existing challenges – indeed, a relicensing may create additional uncertainty for licence holders. The government acknowledges the benefits that a change in ownership could bring, but believes that the risks associated with destabilising service provision outweigh any benefits. The government is also concerned that the number of bids received would vary considerably depending on the nature of the licence.

As such, the government is concerned that this approach would be disproportionate, and may lead to secondary risks (outlined above) due to its complex nature. We also believe that a relicensing process could place significant, burdensome costs both on smaller licence holders, and on Ofcom, who would lead on the evaluation and whose costs would ultimately have to be met by industry in the form of increased annual fees.

(c) A combination of these approaches

Finally, the government has considered whether to apply a mixed approach, where some licences are ‘fast tracked’ and others renewed competitively – perhaps on the basis of external interest. However, the government is concerned about the potential complexity of a twin track approach, as well as concerns around fairness. The government is also mindful that, where a licensee currently controls multiple licences, selective relicensing may undermine existing content partnerships and other cross-subsidisation arrangements.

Q3. Do you agree with the government’s preferred approach of renewing the existing licences for local TV services, subject to the conditions outlined above?

Q4. Do you have any evidence you would like to contribute relating to the benefits or costs of this approach? Please consider both monetisable and non-monetisable benefits and costs; and both one-off and ongoing benefits and costs.

Q5. Do you have any evidence you would like to contribute relating to the benefits or costs of other approaches? Please consider both monetisable and non-monetisable benefits and costs; and both one-off and ongoing benefits and costs.

3.3 Objectives for local TV

The local TV services were established in 2013 in accordance with the legal framework set out in the Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012.

These statutory objectives ensured that individual services were distinctive and met the needs of the area or locality where that service was received.

The current objectives can be found in the 2012 Order. Under the terms of the Order, bidders were assessed on the extent to which their proposed service would:

• meet the needs of the area or locality where it is received. This was further defined as: bringing social or economic benefits to the area or locality, or to different categories of persons living or working in that area or locality; or catering for the tastes, interests and needs of some or all of the different descriptions of persons living or working in the area or locality
• broaden the range of television programmes available for viewing by persons living or working in that area or locality
• increase the number and range of the programmes about that area or locality that are available for such viewing
• increase the number of programmes made in that area or locality that would be so available.

A decade on from the application of these statutory objectives, the landscape for local TV across the UK has changed quite significantly. The government has therefore considered whether consolidation in the market, changes in technology, loss of distinctiveness, and other challenges mean that the original objectives set out in the 2012 Order are no longer appropriate for the sector.

In particular, to support the wider sector, the government has proposed a new legislative framework for public service broadcasting in the form of the draft Media Bill, which will update the benefits and obligations conferred on our public service broadcasters, ensuring they can continue to deliver for audiences across the UK. This includes replacing the current, outdated set of fourteen overlapping purposes and objectives that our public service broadcasters must contribute to with a new, shorter remit, focussed on the things that they are uniquely positioned to deliver and that would make us poorer as a nation – culturally, economically and democratically – if they were not provided.

Whilst new provisions for local TV are not included in the draft Media Bill – the existing legislative framework can be used to implement the proposals set out in this consultation document, so no new primary legislation is required – the government believes that the licence renewal process provides a comparable opportunity to review the current objectives for local TV. In particular, we have considered whether they could be refreshed with a narrower focus, perhaps on the sustainability of local journalism, growing the creative economy, or levelling up across the UK. A refreshed focus could, for example, see local TV playing a greater role in local devolution, particularly by supporting local democracy and fostering greater discussion of local issues.

At the same time, however, the government believes that the current objectives still act as a pivotal framework for the services to operate within, and provide clarity for providers when making local content. These objectives also ensure that the main beneficiary of local TV output is the viewer, and that the specific area and/or locality of the service remains at the heart of local content. There is not, in our view, currently a strong enough evidence base to support any alterations to the current objectives in a way which would drive meaningful change in the sector while complementing the current legislative framework. Consequently, on balance, the government is minded not to amend the existing statutory objectives, but welcomes stakeholder views on this point.

Q6. Do you think the local TV objectives in the Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012 are still fit for purpose?

Q7. Do you have any evidence you would like to contribute relating to the benefits and/or costs of any alternative approaches (e.g. adding, amending, or removing an objective)? Please consider both monetisable and non-monetisable benefits and costs; and both one-off and ongoing benefits and costs.

4. Other issues

Through this consultation, the government has outlined its view on the future of local TV, proposing the conditional renewal of both the local TV multiplex and individual local TV services.

We have also touched on some of the key areas for growth, innovation and investment in local TV, whilst acknowledging the challenges the sector has faced over the current licence period – including the impact of consolidation, loss of distinctiveness at an individual service level, and a greater need for financial certainty.

The government believes that licence renewal will support the longevity of local TV across the UK, but we know that new challenges and opportunities will arise over the next licence period – particularly as services increasingly migrate online (something that was anticipated when the local TV framework was first established).

We remain committed to supporting the sector to address these challenges and make the most of the opportunities facing them – helping them play an important role in the wider broadcasting ecosystem over the next decade.

We would now like to invite respondents to provide additional comments or feedback, particularly if you feel that the questions above did not capture your concerns. The government is especially interested in any innovative suggestions relating to how local TV could be used to enhance local journalism and democracy across the UK.

Please use the following questions below as prompts:

Q8. What do you see as the main opportunities facing the local TV sector over the next licence period (2025 to 2034)?

Q9. What do you see as the main risks and challenges facing the local TV sector over the next licence period (2025 to 2034)?

Q10. There is a duty on public authorities to consider how their policies or decisions affect people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Do you have any evidence of the equalities impacts of any proposals set out in the consultation?

Q11. Do you have any comments that you feel the questions above did not sufficiently address?

5. Implementation

Subject to the outcome of this consultation, the government intends to make an Order under section 244 of the Communications Act 2003 to:

• allow the conditional renewal of the local TV multiplex licence
• allow the conditional renewal of the 34 local TV service licences

In each case, the renewal process will be administered by Ofcom in line with the requirements of the Order. Both the government and Ofcom are of the view that the renewal process should be completed by the end of 2024 at the latest. Should it become clear that the renewal process will not be completed by that point, the government anticipates making provision for the temporary extension of existing licences.

6. Next steps and how to respond

6.1 Next steps

A summary of responses and the government’s response to this consultation will be published in due course following the closure of the consultation.

The government’s response will take all in-scope responses submitted to this consultation into account, and will be based on careful consideration of the points made in consultation responses, not the number of responses received. See further information on the consultation principles.

6.2 How to respond

Please respond to this consultation by completing the online response form below:

Responses from all individuals or organisations on the issues raised in the consultation who may be interested are welcomed. The consultation will close at 23:45 BST on 13 September 2023.

If you cannot access the link, please email your response to localtvconsultation@dcms.gov.uk or post your response to:

Local TV Consultation
TV & Broadcasting Team
DCMS
4th Floor, 100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ

7. Privacy notice

7.1 Who is collecting my data?

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). The Media and Creative Industries Directorate within this Department is seeking to consult on the renewal of certain local TV licences due to expire in November 2025.

7.2 Purpose of this privacy notice

This notice is provided to meet the obligations as set out in Articles 13 and 14 of the UK GDPR. This notice sets out how DCMS will use your personal data as part of our legal obligations with regard to data protection.

7.3 What personal data do we collect?

Most of the personal information we collect and process is the data provided to us directly by you in the responses to our consultation. This includes:

• your name and/ or organisation you work for
• your contact details, such as the email address you use to contact us

7.4 How will we use your data?

We use your data to enable us to carry out our functions as a government department, including, in particularly, determining government policy in relation to the issues raised in this consultation.

7.5 What is the legal basis for processing my data?

To process this personal data, our legal reason for collecting or processing this data is:

Article 6(1)(e) of the UK GDPR: it is necessary to perform a public task (to carry out a public function or exercise powers set out in law, or to perform a specific task in the public interest that is set out in law). In this case, the processing of your personal data is necessary for the performance of a task in the public interest, as the information gathered helps inform future policies.

7.6 What will happen if I do not provide this data?

If you do not provide this personal data we will be unable to consider your views on this matter.

7.7 Who will your data be shared with?

Information provided in response to this consultation (not including personal information) may be published at an aggregated and anonymised level, or disclosed in accordance with the access to information regimes (primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).

Information provided in response to this consultation may be shared with Ofcom, other government departments or agencies which have an interest in the topics addressed in this consultation. This might include specific views or evidence arising from some of the questions to help inform policy development.

7.8 How long will my data be held for?

Your personal data will be kept for one year in line with DCMS’ retention policy.

7.9 Will my data be used for automated decision making or profiling?

We will not use your data for any automated decision making.

7.10 Will my data be transferred outside the UK and if it is how will it be protected?

Your data will not be transferred outside the UK.

7.11 What are my data protection rights?

You have rights over your personal data under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Information Commissioner’s Office is the supervisory authority for data protection legislation, and maintains a full explanation of these rights on their website DCMS will ensure that we uphold your rights when processing your personal data.

7.12 How do I complain?

The contact details for the data controller’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) are:

Data Protection Officer
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ

Email: dpo@dcms.gov.uk

If you’re unhappy with the way we have handled your personal data and want to make a complaint, please write to the department’s Data Protection Officer or the Data Protection Manager at the relevant agency. You can contact the department’s Data Protection Officer using the details above.

7.13 How to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office:

If you believe that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator. You may also contact them to seek independent advice about data protection, privacy and data sharing.

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113,

Email: casework@ico.org.uk

Any complaint to the Information Commissioner is without prejudice to your right to seek redress through the courts.

7.14 Changes to our privacy notice

We may make changes to this privacy policy. In that case, the ‘last updated’ date at the bottom of this page will also change. Any changes to this privacy policy will apply to you and your data immediately.

If these changes affect how your personal data is processed, DCMS will take reasonable steps to let you know.

This notice was last updated on 18 May 2023.

8. Annex: Overview of local TV services and providers

Local TV multiplex licence

Multiplex	Provider
Multiplex L	Comux UK Limited

Individual local TV service licences

Location	Provider	Summary of first-run obligations
Aberdeen	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours of first-run local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Ayr	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Basingstoke	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7.5 hours must be dedicated to local news
Belfast	Northern Visions Limited	At least 8.75 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Birmingham	Local TV Limited	At least 35 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 20 hours must be dedicated to local news
Brighton	Latest TV Limited	At least 50 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 3.5 hours must be dedicated to local news
Bristol	Local TV Limited	At least 37 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8 hours must be dedicated to local news
Cambridge	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Cardiff	Local TV Limited	At least 37 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8 hours must be dedicated to local news
Carlisle	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Dundee	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Edinburgh	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 8.75 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Glasgow	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 14 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Grimsby	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Guildford	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Leeds	Local TV Limited	At least 37 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8 hours must be dedicated to local news
Liverpool	Local TV Limited	At least 35 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 10 hours must be dedicated to local news
London	ESTV Limited	At least 18.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 18.5 hours must be dedicated to local news
Maidstone	KM Television Limited	At least 19 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 17 hours must be dedicated to local news
Manchester	YourTV Manchester Limited	At least 24.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 11.25 hours must be dedicated to local news
Middlesbrough	Local TV Limited	At least 37 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 12 hours must be dedicated to local news
Mold	Local TV Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 5 hours must be dedicated to local news
Newcastle	Local TV Limited	At least 37 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8 hours must be dedicated to local news
Norwich	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Nottingham	Notts TV Limited	At least 10 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Oxford	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 17.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8.75 hours must be dedicated to local news
Preston	YourTV Preston Limited	At least 17.75 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8.75 hours must be dedicated to local news
Reading	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Salisbury	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Scarborough	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Sheffield	Sheffield Local Television Limited	At least 21 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news
Southampton	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 17.5 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 10 hours must be dedicated to local news
Swansea	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 8.75 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 8.25 hours must be dedicated to local news
York	That’s TV Broadcasting Limited	At least 7 hours per week of local programming, of which at least 7 hours must be dedicated to local news