Ofcom proposes local TV locations

Ofcom has proposed 20 local TV sites across the UK for consultation, as part of the Government’s plan to create a local television network.
The 20 sites are: Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Preston, Southampton and Swansea.

These were selected from the sites where local TV is technically possible and where there is a potential local service operator. They were selected to achieve a range of locations across the UK, and a range of scales of operation, according to Ofcom. Evidence of strong local demand was also taken into account.
According to Ofcom, each of the selected towns or cities is the principal conurbation within the technically-possible coverage area. Some transmission areas cover secondary conurbations, and where coverage is good enough, Ofcom has stated they will consider applications for local services targeted at these.

Proposed additional sites, Ofcom added, should be in areas where there is an interested local service operator and believes these are currenty in Aberdeen, Ayr, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Derry, Dundee, Guildford, Maidstone, Middlesbrough, Mold, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent, Stratford upon Avon and York.
Ofcom will consult on the 20 locations later this month, along with the process of licensing both the local stations and the local TV multiplex operator.