Local TV consultation to report back

The advisory panel tasked with invigorating the UK's local television sector will deliver its interim report to the government by the end of the month, it has emerged.

The panel, which is being led by Lazards UK investments head Nicholas Shott, is currently exploring ways to develop a sustainable model for local TV services across the UK.

Last week, the panel visited newspaper and media groups in Scotland to hear industry views on the matter, reports The Guardian.

On Thursday, they will visit several existing local TV operators, including the Community Media Association and Belfast's NvTV.

Enders Analysis founder Claire Enders, who is a member of the panel, revealed that there are plans to submit an interim report to culture secretary Jeremy Hunt at the end of September.

Final proposals will be submitted by the end of 2010, but Enders warned people not to expect too much from the consultation.

"We are making patient progress, but there are long, intractable issues. We are doing our best to go through all the business models. We are leaving no stone unturned. We are aware of how keen the minister is," said Enders.

"But one of the obvious things about the UK is that our conurbations are not appropriate for local television, they are not big enough. We will get somewhere, which advances the minister's agenda, but it will not be earth-shattering stuff."

In June, Hunt asked Shott to "look at the potential for commercially viable local television stations within the local media landscape right across the nations and regions of the UK".

Shott's panel will consider how a revamped regulatory environment could "help nurture a new generation of hungry, ambitious and profitable local media companies".

Alongside Enders, the panel also includes former GCap chairman Richard Eyre, former Competition Commission deputy chairman Lady Kingsmil and Brian Linden of private equity group Cinven.

Campaign group United For Local Television has argued that local TV services should be delivered under a unified Channel 6 branding and given spectrum on digital terrestrial television.