[CMA TV] BBC local TV bid 'hit by fee deal'

[Editor, Airflash Magazine]

BBC local TV bid 'hit by fee deal'
David Rose
8:00am


BBC director general Mark Thompson has told MPs that the  
corporation's lower than expected licence fee had undermined its  
plans to develop up to 60 local TV stations.

Thompson told the Commons media select committee that he could not  
give an undertaking that the BBC would proceed with the idea of  
developing the local stations.

"This is a good example of a new commitment which inevitably there is  
a big question against, given the settlement we have got," he said.

The BBC has been piloting the idea in the Midlands and newspaper  
publishers had warned Parliament the BBC's expansion into the new  
market would prevent them developing their own proposals. But the  
government rejected the demands when it renewed the BBC's charter.

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Source: Broadcast Magazine
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcastnowArticle.aspx?intStoryID=168590



Michelle McGuire
Editor, Airflash Magazine

Community Media Association
http://www.commedia.org.uk

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