Ofcom Awards Comux the Licence to
operate the UK’s Local TV Infrastructure
Chalfont St. Peter, UK, 28th January, 2013 – Comux UK today announced that Ofcom has awarded it the licence to operate the UK’s local TV infrastructure.
This new initiative will see local TV beamed into homes by the same digital terrestrial TV network that distributes Freeview. DMOL, the organisation responsible for the management and allocation of channel numbers on DTT, has reserved channel numbers for new public service local TV channels. These will be carried at 8 (England and Northern Ireland) and 45 (Wales and Scotland). Viewers in the areas that will receive local TV will be able to watch it by simply tuning onto channel 8 or 45 using their existing Freeview equipment. As well as broadcasting on DTT, it is anticipated that local TV channels might also wish to offer their services on satellite, cable and online.
Comux UK founder, Canis Media’s Chief Executive Ed Hall said: “I’m delighted that we will be playing such an important role in what is one of the most exciting changes to the UK’s TV landscape for many years.”
“I believe that we won because our innovative cooperative structure maximises the chance of success for each and every local TV franchise holder. I’m now looking forward to building the infrastructure and particularly excited to see the first local TV services on-air. This really is a step-change; previously local TV has been limited to a handful of cities but soon there will be up to 60 towns and cities with their own local channel. This revolutionizes how the UK’s local communities are served by TV,” concluded Hall.
The framework of the Comux UK winning bid is as follows:
• Comux UK is a cooperative not-for-profit organisation, owned in equal measure by the local television licensees and managed by Canis Media for an initial period of 3 years
• The primary role of Comux UK is to manage the multiplex responsibilities of transmission and distribution. However, equally important will be its role in providing technical and commercial support to local licensees
• Comux UK will ensure that all profits from the commercialisation of the two national channels that are part of the licence but are not ring-fenced for local TV are used exclusively for operating and promoting local TV. Profits will help to:
o Contribute to the costs of the transmission services
o Pay ‘dividends’ to the local licensees
o Provide revenue to a charitable trust set up specifically to fund projects and initiatives essential to the continued national success of local television
• Comux UK’s technical headquarters and The Local TV Charitable Trust will be based at Birmingham Science Park, Aston
• Comux UK will provide licensees with a complete, enhanced technical solution that meets all of Ofcom’s requirements under the Local TV Multiplex ITA, together with the essential elements of playout and content distribution infrastructure
• Comux UK proposes to provide additional coverage over the minimum specifications and also proposes to bring the Phase 1 locations to air more rapidly than stated in published Reference Offers – with all Phase 1 locations that want to being able to launch in 2013
• Comux UK aims to be in a position to complete the roll-out of all confirmed Phase 2 locations by December 2014.
About Comux UK
Comux UK was created by Canis Media’s Chief Executive Ed Hall to meet the demand from potential local TV operators for an equitable, efficient and co-operative approach to providing a cost-effective distribution infrastructure for local TV in the UK.
The team at Canis Media has worked with most of the UK’s local broadcasters providing physical and commercial services. The team has unique experience in assisting smaller channel operators to create realistic business plans.
The Comux UK approach has been developed to provide a commercially sustainable and robust solution to the unique challenges facing local TV operators, whilst providing an attractive return to our stakeholders, the licence holders themselves, and the local TV industry as a whole. www.comux.co.uk
