Local TV stations are turn-off for viewers, say Ofcom

THE drive to set up local TV channels should be scrapped because stations are struggling to get audiences and do not make any money, the media regulator has proposed.

Ofcom said that any further roll-out of local stations, of which there are more than 30 nationwide, was not “economically viable”.

The channels were set up in 2011 as part of plans laid out by Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary at the time, in a move inspired by the US market where local stations attract many viewers.

In the UK, several channels have faced financial difficulties and questions over the quality of their output, forcing Ofcom to step in.

“Requiring new infrastructure to be built for additional local TV channels is not, in our current view, economically viable. It could also undermine the many local services already on air,” a spokeswoman said.

Ofcom had identified 13 further locations as local TV candidates, but said it was now minded to end the roll-out.

“Most licences for locations with a household coverage of under 50,000 have not managed to attract viable applications,” it said in a statement.