Channel M Television has become the first local channel to be awarded spectrum under the digital dividend after being the sole bidder for the Manchester licence at a cost of £10,000 (€11,450).
The channel, owned by the Manchester Evening News, is already broadcasting over analogue transmitters in the Greater Manchester area. It is also relayed on Sky Digital across the UK.
8MHz of so-called interleaved spectrum has been released to the channel on a technology neutral basis. Future licensees could choose to offer other, non-TV, services to the public
A separate auction for Cardiff, where Capital TV is already on the air, closes on February 18.