Local TV test transmissions on-air
Wednesday 29 January, 2014, 11:01 - Licensed
It's a surprise that there haven't been more reports of this, but it seems that the Local TV services licensed by Ofcom last year are beginning to come online. The video clip below shows test of one of the two national channels that will be operated by Comux (to try and generate enough profit to run the transmitters) as received in Clacton, Essex. The signal comes from the Crystal Palace transmitter in London.There doesn't yet seem to be placeholder for London Live which will launch in the capital in March on channel 8 on Freeview, but the two national channels awaiting launch and currently sat on channels 791 and 792 so you can check whether you will be able to receive it (a re-tune may be necessary).
The first of the new raft of local TV stations on the air was Estuary TV in Grimsby, whose transmitter also does a pretty good job of covering nearby Kingston-upon-Hull.
Wireless Waffle previously reported on the lessons to be learnt from the failed attempts at local TV in the UK in the past, and on the uncanny similarity between Comux (the local TV network operator) and Arqiva (who are providing the transmitters to Comux.
There are still a large number of local TV transmitters to be put on-air, so keep checking your set-top-boxes for new channels. Oh, and whilst you're at it, see if you can get the additional Freeview HD multiplexes that have quietly launched around the UK providing such excitement as BBC4 HD and Al Jazeera HD. Why couldn't they have put something useful in HD such as Dave or Film4?
You can check the channel line up on Freeview at your location by using the handy form below.
Mike
Wednesday 29 January, 2014, 11:17
Tests have been ru ning from Divis (Belfast) for a couple of months now.Thursday 30 January, 2014, 21:52
The tests from Comux started on UHF channel 29 two weeks before Christmas, there are two channels, 'Test 1' and 'Test 2'.The multiplex is separate from the normal Digital multiplexes, as it has it's own aerial array on the Crystal Palace mast.
Programmes start on 31st March and are mainly aimed at the 16-34 year old age group.
Friday 31 January, 2014, 11:45
Hi Mike/Les,Thanks for your comments, very useful info. What's surprising is that the tests haven't solicited greater noise from amongst the usual discussion fora that like to announce these things. Anyhow, the whole thing will have been a failure if Jack Hargreaves doesn't make a welcome return
Tuesday 4 February, 2014, 22:37
I totally agree Wireless Waffle, bring back Jack. I loved the old boy, 'sadly no longer with us'. He did some great programmes each week about country life which as a Londoner, I found fascinating.How did the theme tune go - oh yes.
Say what you will
The countryside is still
The only place that I could settle down
Troubles there are so much rarer
Out of town...
When they dropped the programme on the London station, I installed an extra aerial just to receive Southern TV/TVS, just so I could watch Jack and the then gorgeous Fern Britton who was a continuity announcer on the station - fond memories.
Keep up the good work on the Wireless Waffle site.
Les
Wednesday 5 February, 2014, 10:14
Anyone else think the LCN (channel number) allocation (in between BBC3 and 4) a bit strange ? Admitidely not as bad as the trainwreck that is $ky's EPG though.Comments