Statement: Sheffield Live – Variation request

Statement published on Thursday 12 September 2019

All local TV licences contain programming commitments which describe the licensed service the licensee is required to provide. The commitments have a specific focus on the amount and type of local content that will be broadcast on the service so as to reflect the needs and interests of the local area. The commitments set out in local TV licences reflect proposals submitted by the licensee when applying for licences, which are awarded by Ofcom having regard to specified statutory criteria  (although some commitments may have been amended subsequently with Ofcom’s consent).

Sheffield Local Television Limited (“Sheffield LTV”) is the holder of a L-DTPS licence1 to broadcast the local television service for the area of Sheffield. The service is called ‘Sheffield Live!’. Sheffield LTV requested that Ofcom change some of the programming commitments included in its licence. As the proposed changes would result in a departure from the character of the service, the request was subject to a public consultation.