Factual media giant Ten Alps has released a statement in the aftermath of the Digital Britain report, confirming its interest in providing local broadcast news coverage and stating that the proposed plans could provide a "watershed moment for new types of local journalism in the UK."
The firm, which is headed by chief executive Alex Connock, has released a statement to How-Do noting that "the vision for independently financed news consortia is what we had hoped" and that "we will definitely join in the race for the 2010 pilot service in the English region– whichever region that is."
Furthermore, the company has stated its ambition to bid again for further contracts "when the results of the pilots are known and the main contracts are allocated nationwide and in Northern Ireland."
Connock: the man with the plan
On the subject of the £130m that the government has ring-fenced for the new local news providers, Ten Alps opines that the amount is "substantial" and could lead to the aforementioned watershed, as new opportunities open up to independent firms previously excluded by the established broadcasters.
Commercially the firm believes that its established sales operations could provide solutions in terms of sourcing private funding to compliment the public money.
It says of the pilot in the English region: "The Digital Britain suggestion that the pilot in the English region will be the best opportunity to really test the contestability without involving the current Channel 3 licensee is fascinating and encouraging for new operators.
Lord Carter: sector defining
"We imagine that will be a lively tender process with some innovative ideas as to how local news can be done, particularly using online syndication."
The proposal to open up the current FM spectrum to ultra-local and community stations - following on from a digital radio switchover in 2015 - also piques Ten Alps' interest.
The statement noted that the firm was "fascinated by the opportunities opened up for local media", noting, "both by local FM Radio licences, and the relaxation of cross ownership rules between press and local radio, and we think there could be some engaging ways to tie together those new structures with a Channel 3-replacement independently funded news consortium."
The most comprehensive ever review and assessment of the top communicators and marketers working in public services in the North West: the Public Sector 100. READ
The North West’s top marketing folk who collectively control marketing expenditure in excess of £500m and whose endeavours help sustain tens of thousands of jobs. READ
The full listing of How-Do's Media 100. The 2009 list in its entirety, offers the definitive compilation of the most influential and powerful media, creative and digital folk based in the North West. READ
The How-Do poll
Latest comments
Raining on the parade: "Wow! Great news, so there is still a future for Channel M after all?"
O...
READ
Curious about the maths: If the reason Channel m closed is because it has no money - how is it going...
READ
Megan: Is it just me, or do most people really not give a hoot about Channel M?
...
READ
Hic hack: ...and if I did "piss on [my] chips for a job in journalism later on," for ...
READ
Captain Chaos: By Channel M launch on Freewire t website, on 21-03-2010 10:52
launch on c...
READ
Mike Hunt: I'm also with Mike Flex, Mike Stand, Mike Roffone and Watcher. GMG are slip...
READ
Comments (3)
