North west in line for two new television stations

Derry and Limavady could soon have their own local television stations under plans announced by the British minister for Culture.

Earlier this week Jeremy Hunt announced details of 20 towns and cities that will be the “pioneer areas” for the new local TV initiatives.

While Belfast is the only location in the north to be awarded a license that could see local TV up and running by 2013, both Derry and Limavady have been named among 24 further locations identified for the next round of licensing.

Mr Hunt says the aim is to create a “series of commercially viable local TV stations.”

“Local TV will be a fundamental change in broadcasting in this country, meeting a real demand for local news and content.

“I am confident these new stations will provide local communities with programming which is relevant to their daily lives, will support local democracy, boost the Big Society and enhance local communities,” he says.

Telecommunications regulator Ofcom will shortly publish a consultation setting out more detailed proposals on awarding local TV licenses.

Channel 9, Derry’s first local TV station broadcast stopped broadcasting in 2007.