Comux

Comux is a United Kingdom commercial entity that operates the local television multiplex — the technical transmission platform that carries local TV services on the Freeview digital terrestrial platform. It is described as a community-owned business appointed to build and operate the infrastructure for local TV broadcasts in the UK. Its network operations centre (NOC) is located in Birmingham, from which it distributes 34 local television services and provides capacity for four 24/7 national TV streams. The local services carried by Comux broadcast on Freeview channel 7 or 8, depending on the area, and are listed through the Freeview postcode checker so viewers can discover which services are available where they live. Comux therefore functions as a wholesale infrastructure and distribution operator rather than a programme-maker: it does not own the local channels themselves but provides the multiplex capacity and transmission arrangements that allow them to reach Freeview households. The local TV multiplex model was created as part of the UK's broader local television policy, under which a single operator was appointed to build and run the transmission infrastructure on behalf of the local stations. Comux's community-owned structure is unusual in the UK broadcast transmission market, where multiplex operation is more commonly associated with commercial transmission companies. Its role is essentially enabling: it aggregates local services onto a shared platform, manages the technical distribution from its Birmingham NOC, and supplies national stream capacity alongside the local line-up. Comux's public-facing presence is centred on its website, which explains its role, lists the local TV services it carries, and directs viewers to the Freeview postcode checker to find services in their area. The company operates in the United Kingdom only and is not a listed public company; its ownership is described as community-owned rather than shareholder-owned.

Comux emerged from the UK's local television programme, a policy initiative intended to create a new tier of local TV services across the country. Under that framework, a single operator was appointed to build and operate the transmission infrastructure — the local TV multiplex — on which the individual local stations would be carried. Comux is identified as that community-owned business, appointed to build and operate the infrastructure for local TV broadcasts in the UK. The multiplex model means that rather than each local station building its own transmission chain, a shared platform carries multiple local services. Comux operates this platform, with its network operations centre in Birmingham serving as the technical hub. From there, the Comux network broadcasts 34 local television services on Freeview channel 7 or 8, and also provides capacity for four 24/7 national TV streams. Because the local services are distributed on Freeview, the free-to-air digital terrestrial platform, viewers access them through ordinary television equipment. Comux's website directs viewers to the Freeview postcode checker so they can discover which local services are available in their area, reflecting the geographically varied line-up of local TV. Comux's community-owned status distinguishes it from conventional commercial transmission operators. The business is not a listed company and does not present itself as a programme-maker; its role is the wholesale provision of multiplex capacity and distribution. Its public communications emphasise the number of local services carried, the national stream capacity offered, and the Birmingham NOC as the operational centre of the network.

Community-owned wholesale operator of the UK's local TV multiplex, providing shared Freeview distribution infrastructure for local television services and national stream capacity.

• Local TV multiplex

  The shared transmission platform operated by Comux that carries 34 local television services on Freeview channel 7 or 8.

• National TV stream capacity

  Capacity for four 24/7 national TV streams distributed via the Comux network.

1. 1Home - Comux UKcomux.co.uk
2. 2Comux - Wikidatawikidata.org