[cma-l] ULTV Campaign for universally accessible Local TV

[Phil Shepherd]

John

With respect I don't think anyone from ULTV is suggesting that we can
produce quality programmes 24/7 nor that we are trying to emulate TV news.

In Somerset the model is short feature-based at core with a limited
number of looped hours of new programmes per day/week generated through
community chroniclers and public service type commissions - programmes
similar to the ones we successfully make regularly here already but
which reach only a tiny percentage of their potential audience through
broadband, DVD, village hall shows etc.  Consultation here with
colleagues across the public sector leaves none of us in any doubt that
a terrestrially delivered service local TV service would bring
substantial cultural and economic benefits to our county.

We are not without experience in this respect, we had analogue local TV
here too in Taunton which also didn't survive. Very different
circumstances to Scotland, in Somerset's case the service was not
sufficiently rooted in community and was unwisely trying to emulate
regional TV - which even if it had been a desirable outcome was not
achievable on micro budgets.  Interestingly though it was nevertheless
popular, people watched it and still talk about it now.

ULTV recognises and  welcomes the future ubiquity and strength of
broadband and its potential for universally accessible public service
broadcasting but the reality in rural areas like Somerset and in many
urban areas is that right now it is far from universal and often far
from fast enough to boot.  Broadband penetration here is 40%.

While the opportunity exists to win a slice of the Freeview (seventh mux
in Scotland) potential across the nations and given that as none of us
surely want to see this valuable public asset flogged off to the highest
bidder, I urge you and other members and friends to back the ULTV
campaign and to write to Andy Burnham as a matter of urgent
priority.  The template letter for your use is reproduced below.

With fraternal greetings
Phil
Chair of Council, CMA

***********************
Here is the template for a letter of support for Local TV to be URGENTLY
addressed to the Secretary of State at the following address:

Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP
Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport
Department for Culture Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH

You might wish to preface the letter with a sentence like

'We are a licensed community radio station but have serious aspirations
to move into local TV as well ...

We write on behalf of (------) in support of the United for Local
Television ('ULTV') proposals advocating the universal availability of
public service local television.

We are aware that the future shape of public service broadcasting (PSB)
in Britain is now at a crucial stage and that a local television
network, on seventh mux spectrum in Scotland and on  Channel 6 on
Freeview in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is now being seriously
considered as a PSB provider.  We welcome this idea unreservedly.

We recognise that a universally accessible service is not something that
can be achieved now or in the foreseeable future on broadband alone.  An
accessible terrestrial Local TV network of 50-80 + stations will be
truly local and universal and will create hundreds of jobs all over the
country. We are after all one of the few countries in Europe not to
already have such a network in place.

ULTV have identified a number of 'models' for running each local public
service broadcasting station, dependent on local preferences and
funding.  Some will involve local authorities; some may not.  The
business models exist to make this work.

All over the UK numerous community media groups make engaging, popular
programmes for which there are almost no broadcast outlets, particularly
since the demise of regional ITV.  Local TV would change that
frustrating scenario which does so much to hold back creativity,
community empowerment and mutual understanding.

Local TV can offer:
*  creative content from diverse marginalised and hard to reach communities
*  extensive access to content from the voluntary sector through local
partnership working
*  a grass roots shop-window to promote government initiatives
*  access for viewers to a network of participation and engagement
*  signposts for viewers to informal learning opportunities

We understand that spectrum could be released for a Local TV network,
that technically it is entirely feasible. We support ULTV¹s assertion
that the opportunity cost that might be seen as Œlost¹ by gifting
spectrum to Local TV, would be more than compensated for by the social
gains to be generated from such a service.  The Public Voice coalition
has evidenced this claim in some detail.

We know that ULTV have held positive talks with local newspaper groups
and with the BBC.  We believe that Local TV can play a vital role in a
new, strategic pattern for regional media, indeed that Local TV can be a
key player in local public service broadcasting.

We believe in summary that building on the great success of community
radio, Local TV is vital to the future of local democracy.

We thank you for your support for Local TV to date and would urge you to
seize this opportunity to bring it to reality, as an all win for the
future health of our nations and regions.

Yours sincerely

(your name)