±«Óătv

±«Óătv Executive proposal to move ±«Óătv Three online

Date: 05.12.2014     Last updated: 08.12.2014 at 14.52

The ±«Óătv Trust has now received the detail of proposals from the ±«Óătv Executive to close ±«Óătv Three as a broadcast channel and re-invent it as an online only proposition. Alongside this, the Executive also propose launching a ±«Óătv One+1 channel, extending the hours for C±«Óătv and enhancing ±«Óătv iPlayer. 

These proposals were discussed by the Trust Services Committee on 3 December 2014.

The committee have confirmed that these proposals represent a significant change to the UK public services. In its regulatory role as set out in the Agreement, the Trust is therefore required to conduct a , including a public consultation, so licence fee payers, audience groups and industry stakeholders have an opportunity to have their say on the proposals.

The Trust and Ofcom will now agree terms of reference for the Market Impact Assessment (MIA) to be conducted by Ofcom, and the Public Value Assessment (PVA) to be conducted by the Trust. The Trust will also prepare a service description, which sets out in detail the Executive proposals and serves as a basis for the assessment.

A public consultation on the proposals will begin in January 2015. At the launch of the assessment and consultation, the Trust will publish on its website as much relevant information on the proposal as possible, including the application from the Executive, the service description prepared by the Trust Unit and an indicative timetable for the process.

The Trust’s priority throughout will be to listen to the views of audiences and stakeholders.