Quote:
Originally Posted by 1andrew1
Yes, they have to restrict local TV as the rights are not UK-wide. London Live for example shows a host of TV reruns from mainstream networks that it could not show nationally (eg The Fast Show, Black Books, Coupling, Misfits, London's Burning).
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Andrew, I can't help but get a feeling of deja vu here. It reminds me of the bright new world of local FM radio unleashed in the 80s. Lots of bold, new ventures that pretty soon found they couldn't make it pay and so were either hoovered up by the big media players or gave the authorities an ultimatum that either they were allowed to merge with a neighbouring channel or they would close. The Authorities reluctantly agreed, and then they were hoovered up by the big media players anyway.
And in those days there was a lot of interest in those channels because there was limited choice, that isn't the case these days. I fear they are the wet dream of politicians who wish to re-engage us with politics and see local issues as the way to do so. However I also fear that repeats of 'The Fast Show' or similar will swamp the viewing figures for 'Dog Mess Hunters' (I'm being satirical, but trying to make a serious point) leading to 'Dog Mess Hunters' being cancelled.
Great news for content owners though. When G.O.L.D. has repeated something to death and back, there's always local TV, they'll show it.
