Ofcom to review Sheffield TV station decision

The decision over which group will run a local television service in Sheffield is to be reconsidered.

The decision, by communications regulator Ofcom, came "after errors in the consideration of the applications" came to light.

A consortium involving two Sheffield universities, film-makers and festival organisers was chosen to run a local TV station in the city.

The reconsideration process is expected to be completed within days.

Sheffield Local Television Ltd (SLTV) was awarded a 12-year licence to provide the digital terrestrial TV (DTT) service by Ofcom in October.

The channel was due to be called SLTV and launch in October 2013.

The two bidders to lose out were Metro8 Sheffield and YourTV Sheffield.

In May, Ofcom invited applications to run local TV services in 21 areas as part of a government project part-funded by the BBC.

In a statement, Ofcom said: "In order to ensure absolute fairness and clarity for all applicants, and in line with Ofcom's high standards, we have decided that the decision on the Sheffield local TV licences will be retaken.

"This follows small errors found in the consideration of the applications."

Steve Buckley, SLTV chairman, said: "We're surprised by the turn of events but we're confident that the bid we've submitted is the strongest."