Ofcom awards first two local TV licences

UK regulator Ofcom has awarded its first two licences for local digital-terrestrial TV channels.

The first channels licences to be awarded were to Latest TV Ltd to offer a service of the same name in Brighton & Hove and Channel 7 Television Community Interest Company to offer a service called Lincolnshire Living in Grimsby.

The licences are for up to 12 years. The move follows a invitation in May to apply to run local TV services in 21 areas. Services are expected to be available on the internet, cable and satellite as well as via the reserved DTT capacity. Ofcom hopes that some channels will be on air by the end of next year.