Menu
14/12/2011
Belfast To Get New TV Channel
Belfast is to be switched on to a new TV channel soon as it has been chosen by the Government for a new station.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday revealed the 20 towns and cities across the UK, which are expected to be the first to have their own local TV stations.
The first 'pioneer areas' are expected to be: Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Preston, Southampton and Swansea.
These areas were all identified as having good local spectrum coverage and significant levels of interest from potential operators and audiences.
The broadcast regulator, Ofcom will now consult on these areas and its proposed licensing process.
"I am confident these new stations will provide local communities with programming which is relevant to their daily lives, will support local democracy, boost the big society and enhance local communities," said Mr Hunt.
A further 24 areas identified for a future round of licensing are both Londonderry and Limavady in NI as well as Aberdeen, Ayr, Bangor, Barnstaple, Basingstoke, Bedford, Cambridge, Carlisle, Dundee, Guildford, Hereford, Inverness, Kidderminster, Luton, Maidstone, Malvern, Mold, Salisbury, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent, Stratford upon Avon and York.
The Government is also taking a number of steps to create a new statutory framework for licensing that will allow for transmission infrastructure to be built and the new local TV services to start operating.
Spectrum - the broadcast waveband - will be awarded through a competitive process to a single multiplex operator to provide the distribution for local TV. The necessary enabling legislation will be laid shortly.
They overall aim to create a series of commercially viable stations carrying locally made programmes and news across the UK.
The first new stations could be broadcasting in 2013, following the awarding of licences during summer 2012.
As part of the licence fee settlement in October 2010, the BBC agreed to provide funding of up to £25m for local television services and an additional £15m to acquire local television content.
The final determination on the BBC's contribution will be subject to approval from the BBC Trust.
(BMcC)
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday revealed the 20 towns and cities across the UK, which are expected to be the first to have their own local TV stations.
The first 'pioneer areas' are expected to be: Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Preston, Southampton and Swansea.
These areas were all identified as having good local spectrum coverage and significant levels of interest from potential operators and audiences.
The broadcast regulator, Ofcom will now consult on these areas and its proposed licensing process.
"I am confident these new stations will provide local communities with programming which is relevant to their daily lives, will support local democracy, boost the big society and enhance local communities," said Mr Hunt.
A further 24 areas identified for a future round of licensing are both Londonderry and Limavady in NI as well as Aberdeen, Ayr, Bangor, Barnstaple, Basingstoke, Bedford, Cambridge, Carlisle, Dundee, Guildford, Hereford, Inverness, Kidderminster, Luton, Maidstone, Malvern, Mold, Salisbury, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent, Stratford upon Avon and York.
The Government is also taking a number of steps to create a new statutory framework for licensing that will allow for transmission infrastructure to be built and the new local TV services to start operating.
Spectrum - the broadcast waveband - will be awarded through a competitive process to a single multiplex operator to provide the distribution for local TV. The necessary enabling legislation will be laid shortly.
They overall aim to create a series of commercially viable stations carrying locally made programmes and news across the UK.
The first new stations could be broadcasting in 2013, following the awarding of licences during summer 2012.
As part of the licence fee settlement in October 2010, the BBC agreed to provide funding of up to £25m for local television services and an additional £15m to acquire local television content.
The final determination on the BBC's contribution will be subject to approval from the BBC Trust.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 March 2014
'Designated Days' Policy Proposed
South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo has proposed an amendment to the Local Government Bill that will allow the union flag to be flown on council headquarters across Northern Ireland on designated days.
'Designated Days' Policy Proposed
South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo has proposed an amendment to the Local Government Bill that will allow the union flag to be flown on council headquarters across Northern Ireland on designated days.
10 August 2011
Omagh Hospital's 'First Phase' Approved
This week, the Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced £75m for the first phase of a new local hospital in Co Tyrone. However, it is not known if the 'business case' for a second Omagh facility will be send soon to the NI Department of Finance and Personnel for approval, as there remains doubts over progress for the next stage.
Omagh Hospital's 'First Phase' Approved
This week, the Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced £75m for the first phase of a new local hospital in Co Tyrone. However, it is not known if the 'business case' for a second Omagh facility will be send soon to the NI Department of Finance and Personnel for approval, as there remains doubts over progress for the next stage.
22 August 2006
Changes to NI public transport revealed
Transport Minister David Cairns has today announced major changes to the way in which public transport services will be planned and delivered.
Changes to NI public transport revealed
Transport Minister David Cairns has today announced major changes to the way in which public transport services will be planned and delivered.
20 March 2017
PSNI Announce New Opening Hours At Local Police Stations
The PSNI has announced new opening hours at a number of police stations in Northern Ireland. Police said "advances in technology" have made it possible for them to deliver new ways of reporting crime, filling out official forms and engaging with officers.
PSNI Announce New Opening Hours At Local Police Stations
The PSNI has announced new opening hours at a number of police stations in Northern Ireland. Police said "advances in technology" have made it possible for them to deliver new ways of reporting crime, filling out official forms and engaging with officers.
29 September 2021
Over 400,000 Spend Local Applications Complete On Day One
More than 400,000 applications for the Spend Local were completed on the first day of the scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, describing the response as "formidable". The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday.
Over 400,000 Spend Local Applications Complete On Day One
More than 400,000 applications for the Spend Local were completed on the first day of the scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, describing the response as "formidable". The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
