More than 120 MPs have supported founding a new national TV network for local broadcasters.
The idea has been put forward by United for Local Television - an alliance of local TV broadcasters and advocates, in a response to Ofcom's proposal for reorganising Freeview.
And while 126 MPs signed an Early Day Motion supporting local TV, 53 of them had also supported last year's EDM in favour of high definition TV, even though having both could be impossible.
The 'Channel Six' plan rejects upgrading one multiplex to MPEG-4 and DVB-S2 - most likely for HD channels - in favour of a new national channel for local broadcasters.
This would be broken down into smaller areas than the current ITV regions, enabling small channels to reach local communities.
The campaigners claim Ofcom has failed to recognise support for local TV, and is failing its public service obligations by concentrating on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five to provide local TV.
Ofcom announced its proposal for the future of Freeview in November 2007, and will report on the responses at the end of March.
Something else local? how about the news? Isn't this already locally reported within regional news?
Another community channel maybe? Boring news about how the local business around the corner managed to raise money for the heart foundation!! Nice as it is, I really do not think it needs a dedicated TV channel.
Maybe the point I am coming to here is that we are not the USA, and never will be. Instead, lets use the space on Freeview to give us something else that America has had for years, HDTV!!
Posted by Steven Hedges (127.0.0.1) on July 12, 2008 at 04:48 PM BST #