[cma-l] Shott report into local television published

[CMA-L]

Nicholas Shott’s report into the conditions necessary for financially
viable local TV stations has been published today.

The report was commissioned by Jeremy Hunt in June 2010, to help the
Government understand how it could maximise the potential for local TV
to emerge in the UK.

The key findings of the report include:

- In the long term, local TV will probably be delivered via Internet
Protocol Television (IPTV) rather than ‘traditional’ broadcast. In the
shorter term, a presence on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) will
allow local TV to develop a sustainable market position.
- Ofcom should be asked to consider further the technical options for
the delivery of local TV.
- 10-12 conurbations should be chosen to host trial local TV services,
providing at least two hours of high-quality local content per day.
- Local TV should be broadcast on a single DTT channel, which is
prominently displayed on the DTT Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), and
where possible on satellite and cable EPGs.
- Public Service Broadcasters could promote local TV services by, for
example, on screen red-button prompts or insertion of local
programming into a national channel’s regional schedule.
- Local TV services should benefit from the shared resources and
advertising capacity of a national broadcaster acting as a “backbone”.

Jeremy Hunt said: “I am incredibly grateful for the energy and rigour
that Nicholas Shott and his steering group have put into the local TV
review. I am considering his report carefully, which gives us a solid
foundation to take forward the necessary steps to bring about local TV
in the UK. I will publish a plan early in the new year setting out
those steps.”

Nicholas Shott's report - Commercially viable local television in the UK:

http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7655.aspx

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