Written evidence submitted by the Local TV Network

Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors

1 Executive Summary

1.1 The Local TV Network (LTVN) represents the companies which deliver the 34 local TV services across the UK.

1.2 Local TV has made every effort to deliver news and entertainment during the COVID-19 crisis and the services have played a valuable role. It has broadcast an impressive range and volume of locally-tailored news and information, informing local communities responsibly and giving a clear picture of the local and regional impact - plus uplifting stories of how communities were rallying round. Local TV has provided a true public service.

1.3 LTVN welcomes ’s pragmatic approach to regulation in the current crisis and needs that flexibility to continue to be shown as licensees wrestle with its ongoing and long-term impact.

1.4 Whilst most LTVN members eventually carried Government public service announcements (PSAs), media spend was not immediately allotted to the whole local TV network. Many LTVN member services were overlooked for several weeks. LTVN believes that local TV has a powerful role to play in disseminating such information. Media spend on local TV also brings the benefit of helping to safeguard the existence of local media services in challenging times.

1.5 More than ever, in current circumstances, LTVN calls for general provision to be made to secure support for local TV in the delivery of local news and information to enable them to continue to represent and reflect the nations and regions of the UK.

2. Impact

2.1 Like all broadcasters, Local TV services have made efforts to stay on-air and deliver programming as far as they are reasonably able, in challenging circumstances. The vast majority have had to make temporary arrangements for broadcasting involving substantial home working; and have responded with agility. The safety and mental wellbeing of local TV staff and those with whom they have contact has been the priority.

2.2 Many of the local TV services which rely on commercial advertising income have noticed a significant decline in revenues. It is anticipated that those will not immediately bounce back given the general economic pressures affecting client businesses.

2.3 Some local TV services rely, to an extent, on income or subsidies from partners, the public sector or educational establishments. Again, these organisations are impacted by Covid-19 and reductions to their contributions to local TV are already being implemented in some cases.

2.4 Whilst LTVN members rightly prioritised news coverage at this time over any other programme production, no commercial reference, or material that implies a commercial arrangement, is permitted in or around news bulletins or news desk presentation. Further, Ofcom rules (AVMS Directive) stipulate that news programmes may be interrupted by advertising only once for each scheduled period of at least 30 minutes.

2.5 Challenges aside, these are times when people turn to media, and local communities seek their own relevant information as our audience response indicates. LTVN members responded on-air to the crisis in a variety of different ways, as befits a network of locally- driven services. LTVN members delivered a significant volume of public health materials, insight from local government and a clear picture of local and regional impact and support.

2.6 Local TV services joined together for a programme called ‘Covering Covid-19’, with 24 episodes transmitted to date across Brighton, Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Kent, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Teesside, Tyne & Wear, North Wales and Belfast. The That’s TV group of licensees, in addition to local news, created a national daily news programme, Have Your Say, in order to provide a voice to ordinary people to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on their lives. The virologist, Jeremy Rossman, from the University of Kent shared his experience on KMTV; and local MPs, Council leaders and Mayors were seen too on several services as local TV played its part in local democracy.

2.7 There were uplifting stories of how communities were rallying round, such as the home- factory delivering 3D-printed visors for care workers on or the hundred singers rehearsing on-line together on Notts TV.

2.8 In addition, local TV services have continued to deliver information to audiences by innovative and often entertaining means. This includes on-screen displays and news tickers around popular entertainment such as uplifting music programming. Some of the wider community projects delivering arts, culture and music content during lockdown, such as the Greater Manchester-based United We Stream initiative; and Nottstopping – a bank holiday virtual festival of entertainment have secured live broadcast on local TV services

2.9 Latest TV reported on how local businesses in Brighton were adapting as the slow journey to normality began; and, in , NVTV reported on the plan published by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on emerging from the crisis.

3. Support

3.1 LTVN welcomes Ofcom’s pragmatic response to regulation at this time. Ofcom has sensibly indicated that where broadcasters are unable to continue to meet programming and production requirements, the force majeure condition in the licence would be engaged, and a licensee would not be liable to enforcement action as a result. LTVN welcomes the announcement of this approach; and agrees with Ofcom’s approach to content complaint priorities given the nature of the situation arising from Covid-19.

3.2 Whilst some local TV services were eventually chosen for Government media spend, it appeared local TV was not an immediate priority and that DHSC was unaware of the complete list of local TV services. Some made prompt and direct contact with DHSC at an early stage but received no reply. For five weeks, many local TV services had no access to campaign materials made for TV until lobbying of DCMS and DHSC. No local TV reporters have been invited to participate in the daily Government press briefings.

3.3 Given the public service role of local TV and their close relationships with their audiences, LTVN believes that in situations like this, whether the crisis is nationwide or more localised, the power of local TV should be harnessed. It is cost-effective and locally efficient. PSA campaigns can swiftly be implemented on all services and members are prepared to deliver appropriate other supporting content. As press titles close and other broadcast media becomes increasingly regionalised or nationalised, local TV constitutes a valuable, persuasive vehicle.

3.4 Similarly, emergency cash funding was made available for community radio via the Community Radio Fund and, whilst LTVN fully understands the case made by that sector, it is puzzling that a similar package was not made available for local TV.

4. Long term

4.1 Given the severely depressed revenues, it is possible that some local TV services may not be able to restore all local content generation to previous levels. In many instances, offices have had to close during the pandemic and it has been impossible to recruit and train in the normal manner. In some instances, former local TV journalists have been engaged by the major broadcasters who have had their own resource pressures. It may not be practical to restore all of these offices safely and efficiently in the short-term. LTVN expects Ofcom to be pragmatic in all the circumstances.

4.2 LTVN also repeats its call that provision should be made generally to support local TV services in the delivery of local public service. The original ring-fenced sum of £15m was not fully spent by the BBC and LTVN believes that the distribution of the remainder would materially contribute to the health of the local TV sector at this challenging time.

4.3 In common with many organisations, local TV services intend to reflect upon the benefits of some of the new working methods which have been successfully implemented during lockdown including enhanced home working and remote video interviews which have enabled local TV services to deliver high profile interviews rapidly and safely.

4.4 Whilst LTVN understands that DCMS has rightly been occupied with Brexit and more recently the Coronavirus pandemic, it is now critical that local TV investors are given confidence about the future of local TV service delivery on Freeview channel 7/8. LTVN appeals to DCMS to make a prompt decision about licence extensions to encourage further vital investment in service delivery at a time of ongoing national emergency.

About LTVN

The Local TV Network (‘LTVN’) is the representative body for the companies providing Local Digital Programme Services under Ofcom licences. All are broadcast on Freeview (Channel 7 or 8) and some on Virgin (Channel 159) and Sky. Many also make news content available on social media.