Solent awarded Isle of Wight local TV licence

The ITC have announced that Solent TV Limited (a subsidiary of Island Volunteers) have been awarded the licence to provide a local television service on the frequency identified for Isle of Wight (Rowridge). The licence will commence on 31 October 2002. The ITC received three applications for the licence, which was advertised earlier this year. In considering the competing applications, the ITC applied its published criteria, which include:
- the ability of each applicant to provide a genuine addition to the range of television services which is available in the locality, and to meet the needs of tastes and interests not already catered for by existing services;
- the views of appropriate bodies (community support); and
- where the current licensee applies for a local television RSL, the compliance record of that licensee; the quality of the service provided by that licensee and how the service compares with the proposed service which was outlined in the original application; and the effect which the cessation of the service provided by the current licensee and its replacement by a service provided by a new licensee may have on the service available to the local audience.
Solent TV's programme proposals emphasise localness and community involvement, building on the infrastructure which they already have in place and exploiting links with the local newspaper, radio station and training and education providers. The service will see an increase in new local programming for viewers. They would aim to appeal to all sections of the population as well as visitors to the Isle of Wight. Evidence was also provided of strong local support.
The current licensee, TV12 Limited, also applied for the licence. The ITC however considered that in this case, the merits of the application made by the current licensee were outweighed by the merits of an alternative application.
It was the ITC's view that by reference to the published criteria by which the applications were assessed Solent TV's application had greater merit.
ITC, www.itc.org.uk (GB)