Channel 6, one of the most vocal bidders for Jeremy Hunt’s local TV plans, has confirmed that it will attempt to secure the licence for London.

The organisation, which is run by former Trinity Mirror executive Richard Horwood, was bullish in its support for the culture secretary’s original plans to create a national ‘spine’ network that would support local TV services.

However, it was forced to completely rethink its business plan after Hunt scrapped his initial proposal in favour of a more “bottom up” approach, where up to 50 licences could be auctioned off to local TV consortia, allowing them to form their own network.

The government has named 65 UK towns and cities in the running to host a local TV channel and London, Birmingham and Manchester are considered to be some of the “crown jewels” by bidders. Sources have suggested that London is likely to be hotly contested when invitations to apply are issued next year because of the potential revenues available.

 “We will bid for the London TV franchise as London is the one local territory big enough to attract the UK’s existing TV advertisers, as well as local advertisers,” said Horwood.

He stressed that the local TV channel “has to be” broadcast on cable, satellite and Freeview, otherwise “the vast majority of Londoners would be disenfranchised and the commercial potential would be unrealisable”.

The government is currently pressing to secure the Channel 8 slot on the EPG, which is currently vacant in England and Northern Ireland.

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