Ofcom has given details of its plans for the renewal of the UK’s 34 local TV services and the Local TV multiplex, ahead of licences expiring next year.
The Government is due to introduce new legislation to enable their renewal for a further nine years, though this could be delayed by the General Election due to take place on July 4.
Ofcom has told licence holders looking to renew their licences to submit a written application.
The regulator will then consider all applicants based on the criteria set out in the proposed legislation.
If granted, the renewed licences will run from 26 November 2025 until 31 December 2034.
Launched in 2013, local TV services are accessible to 15 million people (normally occupying channel 7 or 8 on Freeview) and are required to show several hours of local programming each day.
Since their launch stations have often been granted permission by Ofcom to change their output. In November 2021, Ofcom agreed to a request by That’s TV to consolidate the production bases for some of its 20 local TV stations.
