Northern Ireland’s first local TV station goes live

Northern Ireland’s first local TV channel, Belfast-based NvTv, went on air for the first time last night.

The station, which is part of a wider rollout of local stations across the UK, will broadcast in the Belfast area on Freeview channel 8 and Virgin Media channel 159.

NvTv will air a mix of local news, current affairs, arts, culture, music and heritage shows.
It is the eight local TV station to take to the airwaves in the UK following the launch of Sheffield Live last week.
In total UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has issued 30 local TV licences around the UK, with a second phase of licensing already underway.

However, last month, Ofcom warned that it is “very unlikely” that all the new local TV stations being licensing will succeed, after Birmingham’s City TV became the first to go bust in August.