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| YourTV wins local television licence for Blackpool and Preston | YourTV wins local television licence for Blackpool and Preston |
| (7 months later) | |
| Ofcom has completed the first phase of the government-backed project to launch a new generation of local TV services, awarding the Blackpool and Preston franchise to the YourTV group, which beat rival bidder Metro8 Preston. | Ofcom has completed the first phase of the government-backed project to launch a new generation of local TV services, awarding the Blackpool and Preston franchise to the YourTV group, which beat rival bidder Metro8 Preston. |
| The award of the 12-year licence completes the bidding process for the first round of 19 local TV franchises. | The award of the 12-year licence completes the bidding process for the first round of 19 local TV franchises. |
| Blackpool and Preston is the second local TV licence won by YourTV, which is chaired by former BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons. Last month Ofcom awarded YourTV the Manchester licence . | Blackpool and Preston is the second local TV licence won by YourTV, which is chaired by former BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons. Last month Ofcom awarded YourTV the Manchester licence . |
| In its award of the Preston and Blackpool licence, the regulator said that YourTV demonstrated a "better knowledge" of the region and "would meet the needs of the local area". In its ruling, by the regulator's broadcast licensing committee, Ofcom also praised the bid's partnership with the University of Central Lancashire which is based in Preston and offers print and broadcast journalism courses. | In its award of the Preston and Blackpool licence, the regulator said that YourTV demonstrated a "better knowledge" of the region and "would meet the needs of the local area". In its ruling, by the regulator's broadcast licensing committee, Ofcom also praised the bid's partnership with the University of Central Lancashire which is based in Preston and offers print and broadcast journalism courses. |
| YourTV Preston and Blackpool is expected to cover a minimum of 370,000 homes. YourTV disclosed in its bid that it hoped to be on air by October 2013. | YourTV Preston and Blackpool is expected to cover a minimum of 370,000 homes. YourTV disclosed in its bid that it hoped to be on air by October 2013. |
| However, none of the 19 services are expected to be on air until at least the end of this year, according to Ofcom, as the overall licence award process was delayed and key infrastructure issues remain to be resolved. | However, none of the 19 services are expected to be on air until at least the end of this year, according to Ofcom, as the overall licence award process was delayed and key infrastructure issues remain to be resolved. |
| Last month, the regulator awarded the franchise for London, considered the most lucrative, to the London Live bid from the Lebedevs' London Evening Standard. | Last month, the regulator awarded the franchise for London, considered the most lucrative, to the London Live bid from the Lebedevs' London Evening Standard. |
| All the local TV services in England will be broadcast on channel 8 on Freeview and channel 117 on Sky. The BBC is providing £25m for infrastructure and £5m annually over three years towards content costs for all local TV services. | All the local TV services in England will be broadcast on channel 8 on Freeview and channel 117 on Sky. The BBC is providing £25m for infrastructure and £5m annually over three years towards content costs for all local TV services. |
| Communications minister Ed Vaizey said that the 19 licences awarded represented a "real step forward" in the creation of a new media industry in the UK. | Communications minister Ed Vaizey said that the 19 licences awarded represented a "real step forward" in the creation of a new media industry in the UK. |
| He said: "There has been huge interest in securing the rights to run local TV stations and bidders have produced innovative and exciting proposals. | He said: "There has been huge interest in securing the rights to run local TV stations and bidders have produced innovative and exciting proposals. |
| "Newspapers and radio stations are cornerstones of local communities and local TV will help enhance the areas they serve. They will help hold local councils and services to account while creating new jobs and opportunities in these towns and cities." | "Newspapers and radio stations are cornerstones of local communities and local TV will help enhance the areas they serve. They will help hold local councils and services to account while creating new jobs and opportunities in these towns and cities." |
| The second phase of the local TV bidding process will launch later this year when Ofcom invites bids from some of the 28 other areas identified by multiplex operator Comux as potentially viable for additional licences. | The second phase of the local TV bidding process will launch later this year when Ofcom invites bids from some of the 28 other areas identified by multiplex operator Comux as potentially viable for additional licences. |
| The full list of successful applicants for the 19 first phase local TV licences | The full list of successful applicants for the 19 first phase local TV licences |
| Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle: Made In... | Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle: Made In... |
| Preston & Blackpool, Manchester: YourTV | Preston & Blackpool, Manchester: YourTV |
| Edinburgh (ETV), Glasgow (GTV): STV | Edinburgh (ETV), Glasgow (GTV): STV |
| London: London Live (Evening Standard) | London: London Live (Evening Standard) |
| Belfast: NvTv | Belfast: NvTv |
| Birmingham: City TV Broadcasting | Birmingham: City TV Broadcasting |
| Brighton & Hove: Latest TV | Brighton & Hove: Latest TV |
| Grimsby: Lincolnshire Living | Grimsby: Lincolnshire Living |
| Liverpool: Bay TV Liverpool | Liverpool: Bay TV Liverpool |
| Norwich: Mustard | Norwich: Mustard |
| Nottingham: Notts TV | Nottingham: Notts TV |
| Oxford: That's Oxford | Oxford: That's Oxford |
| Sheffield: SLTV/Sheffield Live | Sheffield: SLTV/Sheffield Live |
| Southampton: That's Solent | Southampton: That's Solent |
| Multiplex operator: Comux | Multiplex operator: Comux |
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