More than 120 of those there MPs have backed a call for local television to be given a channel on Freeview, and not just 'Granada-land' style local, but really local. You know, community media local. A group calling themselves United For Local Television want Channel 6 on Freeview to be set aside for local channels around the country, which would slot their programmes into the Freeview system at local transmitters.
The campaigners say this: "This would become a local TV channel with local programming inserted at all major transmitter points using 'add/drop' technology. No matter where you live in the UK, Channel 6 would be a local channel offering local news, local programming and local advertising. Channel 6 would also carry 'networked' public service content".
Ian Stewart, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Community Media Group has put forward the Early Day Motion urging media regulator OfCom to consider the local channel plans, telling reporters: "UK citizens are amongst the least well served in the entire democratic world for access to local news and information from television. It is vital that at least one channel (out of a potential 30+ channels on Freeview) is protected as a local channel providing a forum to debate and discuss local issues".