[comtv-l] Fwd: TAYSIDE & FIFE LOCAL TV GROUP CALLS ON OFCOM TO BACK LOCAL TV IN SCOTLAND

[Dave Rushton]

Fwd:

News Release:

TAYSIDE & FIFE LOCAL TV GROUP CALLS ON OFCOM TO BACK LOCAL TV IN SCOTLAND

Fife and Tayside Local TV Working Group – a consortium developing local 
TV in Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross has responded to a 
recent Ofcom consultation to allocate spectrum for local TV across Fife 
and Tayside as well as throughout Scotland.

Responding to Ofcom's consultation on the spectrum suitable for local 
television Cllr Fraser Macpherson, Planning & Transport Convener on 
Dundee City Council and supporter of the local TV initiative, said. "We 
are fortunate here in Scotland to have airwaves to spare and it is vital 
the UK regulator responds to public demands for local TV in Scotland to 
be made available for all.

"Digital switchover offers a once in a life-time opportunity for 
Scotland to have local television coverage. We expect Ofcom to ensure 
the allocation of these airwaves in the most  efficient way and for 
local television to deliver local public purpose by involving local 
people in broadcasting in ways that bigger media has proved unable to do."

Cllr Macpherson continued “The Fife and Tayside Local TV Working Group 
is one of many representing all areas of Scotland and calls upon Ofcom 
to allocate Scotland’s spectrum to allow for a seventh multiplex of 
channels. This 'seventh mux' would be able to carry five additional 
channels suitable for local TV as well as support a new Scottish channel 
if this were required."

The spectrum identified by the UK regulator Ofcom is unique to Scotland 
and would allow local TV to reach 98% of the population.
Ofcom has been consulting on geographic interleaved spectrum as well as 
seventh multiplex spectrum, while the former would provide much lesser 
coverage of around 25-50%.

DigitalUK's early response to Ofcom's consultation strongly suggests 
that spectrum planning for Digital Television Switchover in Scotland 
actually ended on 12th August – nine days before the consultation 
deadline invited local TV's response on 21st August.

Dave Rushton, Director of the Edinburgh based Institute of Local 
Television, added: "There are serious concerns the regulator has made a 
commitment to DigitalUK ahead of the consultation closing, decisions 
that would remove from Scotland five separate digital TV channels – 
channels that offer tremendous capacity for a variety of new services 
that can be made more relevant to Scottish audiences and local areas 
than many of the digital channels emanating from London."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION :

Julie Craik on behalf the Fife and Tayside Local TV Working Group - 
01382 432483

Dave Rushton, Institute of Local Television - 0131 466 3021