Written question asked by Rehman Chishti (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 November 2010. It was answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 November 2010 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Local Broadcasting: Television

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress his Department has made on encouraging commercially-sustainable local television.

Answer: Nicholas Shott, head of UK investment banking at Lazard, will shortly conclude his independent review on the conditions necessary for commercially sustainable local television to emerge in the UK.This will be published on the Department's website in due course, followed by a local media action plan due to be published in the new year.The recent BBC funding settlement has secured a total of £25 million to help fund the capital costs in 2013-14 for up to 20 local TV services, subject to any necessary regulatory approval. The BBC will also commit to ongoing funding of up to £5 million per annum from 2014-15 to acquire content from local services.In addition, the Government will shortly lay an order to remove the local cross media ownership rules to promote a strong and secure local media industry.

Secondary information