BBC 'critical' to future local services, says Ofcom

Ariel: 23 January 2005

An Ofcom report published last week concluded that the BBC ‘is likely to be critical' in future when it comes to delivering local content.

The media regulator remains concerned, however, that BBC activity around a new generation of local digital services ‘could discourage or crowd out other potential providers'.

The report, published on January 19, floated the possibility that some of the funds earmarked by the corporation for the new local services could be ‘reallocated' to other providers.

David Levy, controller of public policy, commented: ‘This suggestion is consistent with Ofcom's position, but the final decision lies with the government.'

Less controversially, the regulator suggested the idea of issuing new DTT (Freeview) licences exclusively for local operators, starting in 2007.

In December 2005 the BBC launched a nine-month pilot scheme providing local television news around the West Midlands.