[gottago]

Although if the few local broadcasters that are providing a genuine local service, what’s the benefit to the government from stopping them doing it.

You could say the same about the ones that aren't providing a local service. Is the local multiplex actually costing the taxpayer anything any more? I'm assuming no and it all pays for itself via the licenses (please enlighten me if this isn't the case)? So what would be the benefit in closing it down and putting people out of work? Even if the services are nowhere near as good as they were meant to be, they're still ultimately employing some people and are fitting within the current Ofcom rules. They're essentially harmless so is there any point in closing them?