[cma-l] Local TV - government's call for Expressions of Interest

[Phil Shep]

>
> CMA has played a key role in the development of local TV  
> opportunities for
> the UK over the past few years.  We have talked long and often with  
> DCMS and
> Ofcom and in other key forums making the case for community led and  
> owned
> local TV.    With Jeremy Hunt we have for the first time a Minister  
> who has
> enthusiasm for the idea - and has carried the culture portfolio long  
> enough
> (first in opposition and now in government) to act.   Hunt has come  
> up with
> firm proposals for a dedicated digital local channel on Freeview  
> enhanced
> by utilising other available interleaved spectrum.  His model for  
> delivering
> local TV involves creating a network affiliate spine service onto  
> which
> local opt outs can be attached.  He sees the spine service as being
> commercially run and funded by advertising.   We are sceptical about  
> this
> and would much prefer to see a licensing regime closer to the  
> community
> radio model, where a consortium of local interests could come  
> together to
> apply for spectrum without needing to go through a network spine.   
> However
> this is not an ideal world, and we are keen to work with what we  
> have in the
> way of an opportunity.
>
> Jeremy Hunt has invited expressions of interest to run the network  
> spine to
> be with him by the end of this month.  We know there will be bids
> forthcoming from at least one existing national broadcaster as well  
> as from
> other parties, including some with whom we believe CMA could  
> successfully
> work, were the opportunity to be presented.  There is much commercial
> confidentiality around this process inevitably so for the avoidance  
> of doubt
> let's be clear that CMA will not be submitting its own EOI for the  
> spine
> service.  It would not be appropriate for us to do so given that we  
> are
> aware that there are various member group and individuals who are -  
> or might
> be - involved with bids with whom we would then be in competition.   
> What we
> are doing however is to submit a paper expressing clearly our  
> commitment to
> community owned and led local TV, with a critique of the dangers of  
> the
> commercially led spine.  In a spirit of constructive criticism, we  
> will
> advocate instead that Hunt looks closely at the viability of not-for- 
> profit
> local consortia, several of which we know of going forward.  We know  
> also
> that at least one bidder  will be naming CMA as potential partners in
> delivery.   Bear in mind Hunt is calling at this stage only for  
> EOIs, and
> that fully fledged bidding will follow later.  Not too much later  
> however,
> as he hopes to have local on air by summer 2012.
>
> It would be most helpful for us at Staff and Council to know who  
> among the
> membership might be part of any bids going forward  - we assume  
> there is a
> way you could let us know this without compromising any partnership
> confidentiality - and more significantly we would like to know who  
> would be
> interested in putting together a proposal for local programming opt- 
> outs
> once the spine is in place.  Please let us know in the early part of  
> next
> week (w/b 21 February) if you are interested.

Phil Shepherd
Somerset Film
Chair, UK Community Media Association
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