Local journalism in Portsmouth has received a major shot in the arm today, with That’s TV securing £109,200 from the Labour Government’s £6 million Local News Fund.
• That’s TV Channels in Portsmouth has been awarded £109,200 through the Government’s £6 million Local News Fund to This project will deliver a single multi-platform video portal giving all 16 services owned by That’s TV local video news on-demand. distribution across Freeview and Freely, other Smart TV apps, mobile apps and web.
• The targeted funding will enable That’s TV to modernise its operations, build sustainable online business models, and reach new and younger local audiences while developing recurring revenue streams.
• Across the country, 50 local news outlets have received grants of up to £125,000, alongside seven major infrastructure projects receiving up to £275,000 to develop technology and shared tools for the wider media sector.
• The investment forms part of the Labour Government’s ‘Amplify: The Local Media Action Plan’, backing trusted local journalism that holds power to account, tackles mis- and disinformation, strengthens social cohesion, and drives local growth.
The funding will allow the team at That’s TV to increase it’s distribution across Freeview and Freely, other Smart TV apps, mobile apps and web, ensuring people across Portsmouth and the Solent continue to have access to high-quality, trusted news about the issues that matter to them.
With news consumption shifting online and advertising revenues plummeting over the last decade, local newsrooms across the country have faced severe financial headwinds. The Local News Fund forms a central pillar of the Labour Government’s landmark strategy, Amplify: The Local Media Action Plan, designed to help local outlets innovate, adapt their business models for the digital world, and build long-term sustainability.
Across England and Wales, grants have been evenly distributed across every region, supporting 50 local news providers with funding of up to £125,000, alongside seven sector-wide infrastructure grants of up to £275,000. Next year, the Government will dedicate a further £115 million specifically to reviving or establishing a local news presence in local ‘news deserts’, alongside up to £5 million to foster financial sustainability and innovation across the sector.
Amanda Martin, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, welcomed the announcement: “I am absolutely delighted that That;s TV has secured over £100,000 through the Local News Fund. This is a crucial investment in the future of trusted local journalism right here in Portsmouth.
“For too long, local media outlets have been left to collapse under the pressure of digital disruption, leading to newsroom closures and leaving communities without a dedicated voice. Labour is taking action to change that.
“Strong local journalism plays a vital role in our local democracy. It keeps people informed, builds media literacy, strengthens social trust, and plays an irreplaceable role in holding decision-makers, including myself and local public bodies, to account.
“This funding will give That’s TV the modern tools and resources it needs to reach new audiences, innovate online, and secure a sustainable financial future. I will always champion our local journalists and news organisations who work tirelessly to report on the issues that matter to people in Portsmouth.”
Media Minister Ian Murray said: “For decades our local media has remained among the most trusted sources of news. But as the media landscape has become more complex, many outlets have been forced to reduce their numbers or even
close. I am determined not to leave local journalism to collapse. This government knows it is critical to communities and fosters a self-confident nation that everyone feels part of.
“Through the Local News Fund we are taking action to help newsrooms innovate and adapt their business models for the online world, while incentivising and encouraging the production of high quality, trustworthy news that Britain’s towns and villages deserve and rely on.”
The £6 million Local News Fund was delivered following a technical assessment by the Government Grants Managed Service and a strategic assessment by the independent Local News Fund Steering Board, evaluating 214 applications worth over £22.5 million against published criteria.
The Fund sits alongside a wider package of measures under Labour’s Local Media Action Plan, including:
- Uplifted Community Radio Funding: Worth £1 million over each of the next three years to support independent local broadcasters.
- Tackling Local News Deserts: £1 million dedicated next year to establishing or reviving local news provision in areas of need. Up to 37 local authority districts currently have no dedicated local print, online, TV or radio outlet, leaving as many as 4.4 million people in local news deserts.
- ‘Inspiring the Future’ Careers Campaign: A joint initiative with the News Media Association (NMA) connecting journalists with schools, having already reached over 11,000 students across 100+ schools in the North West, with 79% targeting schools with above national average free school meal eligibility.
- Refreshed National Action Plan for Journalist Safety: Meeting during Journalism Matters Week to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to protecting journalists and removing obstacles to public-interest reporting.
