Plans to start new local television channels in Devon

Devon may soon get two new local television channels according to regulator Ofcom.

Locations across the UK, including Plymouth and Barnstaple, are slated to gain independent channels making original programming.

Ofcom is inviting applications from independent studios to get a licence to found the new channels for a local audience.

Eleven more licences were announced today as part of an ongoing process of applications.

The first set of licences has already been awarded with 19 new channels expected to be launched by Spring 2014. The first channel ‘Estuary TV’ in Grimsby is set to launch in November.

Estuary TV will operate for limited hours with a range of programming incuding sports, lifestyle, eductional and cookery shows.

7 more licences advertised in June this year have all received bids with a further 10 slated to be advertised next year.

Bidders interested in a licence must present an application to Ofcom before 7 January 2014 to be considered as a contender.

The new channels will receive £40 million of funding from the BBC for the first three years of its running.  Most of the funding will go towards infrastructure with further money going to subsidise programming.

All the channels must produce at least 7 hours of news a week to qualify as a bidder. This is in an effort to promote local broadcast journalism.

The local channels will be broadcast regionally on digital freeview television, although local operators can offer their service on satellite, cable and online.