Moray’s MP Angus Robertson and MSP Richard Lochhead have both welcomed the inclusion of Elgin as a potential ‘Pioneer Location’ for a local TV licence but have warned that rural Scotland needs to be better served.

The news came in an announcement by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) who have a published a list of 65 locations in the UK, including Elgin, where there is potential for local TV services to be licensed and broadcast on Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview).

There will now be a period of consultation where demand, both from audiences and service operators, will be assessed and the population coverage considered to assess long-term viability.

It is likely that larger cities will be licensed first but other areas, including Elgin, will be determined on the basis of the consultation responses.

Commenting Angus Robertson MP said:

“ It is widely recognised that the conversion from analogue to digital television presents opportunities for the creation of much more localised television broadcasting locations and the SNP wants to see a major change in the way local communities are served by television.

“ The inclusion of Elgin in the list of potential sites could be real opportunity for Moray to support local talent and have significant video news coverage in the area but we also need to guard against the exclusion of large swathes of rural Scotland.

“ This consultation will be very important in shaping the growth of local television and I would urge anyone with an interest to respond.”

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“ Elgin being included in the consultation is important for Moray but equally I am concerned that there is a major lack of provision proposed for other rural areas of Scotland.

“ The SNP supports the idea of a Scottish Digital Network, which would serve viewers all across Scotland and not just in the larger centres of population. We have published proposals in March of this year that addresses those issues.

“ There is also no guarantee of services being established in all of the proposed areas, which is disappointing. That being said we can make the most of the positive aspects of the proposals such as the inclusion of Elgin, while keeping up pressure for a Scottish Digital Network that would better serve all of our communities.”

Moray’s MP Angus Robertson and MSP Richard Lochhead have both welcomed the inclusion of Elgin as a potential ‘Pioneer Location’ for a local TV licence but have warned that rural Scotland needs to be better served.

The news came in an announcement by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) who have a published a list of 65 locations in the UK, including Elgin, where there is potential for local TV services to be licensed and broadcast on Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview).

There will now be a period of consultation where demand, both from audiences and service operators, will be assessed and the population coverage considered to assess long-term viability.

It is likely that larger cities will be licensed first but other areas, including Elgin, will be determined on the basis of the consultation responses.

Commenting Angus Robertson MP said:

“ It is widely recognised that the conversion from analogue to digital television presents opportunities for the creation of much more localised television broadcasting locations and the SNP wants to see a major change in the way local communities are served by television.

“ The inclusion of Elgin in the list of potential sites could be real opportunity for Moray to support local talent and have significant video news coverage in the area but we also need to guard against the exclusion of large swathes of rural Scotland.

“ This consultation will be very important in shaping the growth of local television and I would urge anyone with an interest to respond.”

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“ Elgin being included in the consultation is important for Moray but equally I am concerned that there is a major lack of provision proposed for other rural areas of Scotland.

“ The SNP supports the idea of a Scottish Digital Network, which would serve viewers all across Scotland and not just in the larger centres of population. We have published proposals in March of this year that addresses those issues.

“ There is also no guarantee of services being established in all of the proposed areas, which is disappointing. That being said we can make the most of the positive aspects of the proposals such as the inclusion of Elgin, while keeping up pressure for a Scottish Digital Network that would better serve all of our communities.”