Local television

The terms local programme, local programming, local content or local television refers to a television program made by a television station or independent television producer for broadcast only within the station's transmission area or television market. Local programmes can encompass the whole range of programme genres but will usually only cover subjects or people of particular interest to an audience within the station’s coverage area.

For example, a local sports programme will present results, interviews and coverage of games or matches, just like a network sports programme, but it would only feature teams and players from within the broadcaster's transmission area.

In some cases a television network programme may include a local element as well. This is particularly the case in the United Kingdom and still happens today with The Politics Show. The BBC regions will all opt-out at the same time from the main programme to present a locally produced segment.

Sometimes locally made programmes that are not too specific to the transmission area, will be sold to other local stations for broadcast in their region.

Historically there was a large percentage of local programming on television. Late in the 20th century this has significantly fallen. In many cases the only local programmes on a television station today will be the local newscast.

The above can also apply to radio. A national radio network may have local studios or affiliates who opt-out at various times to present local programs and content.

In the late-1950s, many of the early Australian television series such as Melbourne Magazine (1957), Sydney Tonight (1956-1959), and TV Talent Scout (1957-1958) were broadcast in only a single city.

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