Local TV provider Comux launches ‘manifesto’

Comux UK, the group mandated by regulator Ofcom to build and operate the infrastructure for the UK’s new local TV channels, has launched the ‘Comux Manifesto’ outlining opportunities that it believes local TV will provide to commercial and community organisations.

Ed Hall, chief executive of Comux said: “Local TV will offer a more personalised and tailored experience for people from communities who have a desire for local content. The changing TV landscape offers exciting opportunities to new talent, programme makers, advertisers, operators, and viewers.  The Comux Manifesto sets out the business case for local TV for all those interested, deals with some of the challenges to be overcome, and highlights the many opportunities this new development creates.”

Local TV channels are expected to launch in November this year on Freeview Channel 8 in England and Wales, and Channel 45 in Scotland and Northern Ireland, presented in standard definition.

The first phase of the rollout of channels will include 19 locations: Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Preston, Sheffield and Southampton. Channel Seven Grimsby is expected to become the first station to begin broadcasting on this new network. Up to 30 further stations could be launched in the second phase over the 2014-15 period.

Comux will be providing licensees with transmission, playout and scheduling services.