Channel M awarded local television licence for Manchester

The ITC have announced that Channel M Television Limited ("Channel M") have been awarded the licence to provide a local television service on the frequency identified for Manchester.
The licence will commence on November 5 2003.
The ITC received two applications for the licence, which was advertised this year. In considering the competing applications, the ITC applied their published criteria, which included 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.
Channel M's programme proposals comprise good quality and distinctive output which is of particular interest to the local youth audience. The service will further exploit its interdependent links with the local community.
It was the ITC's view that by reference to the published criteria by which the applications were assessed Channel M's application had greater merit.
(GB)