[CMA TV] Govt to scrutinise BBC's local TV plans

[Michelle McGuire]

Govt to scrutinise BBC's local TV plans
David Rose
25 April 2006 09:59

Broadcasting minister James Purnell has assured MPs that BBC plans to  
develop a network of local television stations will be subject to  
full scrutiny before they are given the go-ahead.

Plans to expand local BBC radio stations and new local news websities  
into local TV stations are currently being piloted in the West Midlands.

If successful the BBC plans to create 60 local news centres at a cost  
of £310m. But the BBC plans have aroused opposition from regional  
newspaper publishers who have warned they could frustrate their own  
plans to expand, threatening the future of local newspapers.

John Whittingdale, chairman of the influential Commons media  
committee, this week warned Purnell at media questions in the Commons  
that the BBC plans were causing concern to the Newspaper Society.

He urged him to confirm that any new local service would be subject  
to the new regulatory arrangements outlined in the government’s white  
paper on the BBC.

He also asked the minister to encourage the BBC to work with local  
newspapers "whenever possible".
Purnell said: "I am happy to give the MP an assurance on both those  
points. We have spoken to representatives of the BBC who are talking  
to local newspapers and will be happy to co-operate wherever that is  
the sensible thing to do.

"The governors of the BBC have made it clear that any proposed  
service will have to go through the public value test even before the  
new charter comes into force."

Any new service will be subject to a market impact assessment by  
Ofcom but the final decision on whether to sanction it will rest with  
the new BBC Trust.

Source: broadcastnow.co.uk



-- 
Michelle McGuire
Editor, Airflash Magazine
Development Officer

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