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Comux switches on UK local TV with Grimsby’s Estuary TV
Editor | 26-11-2013
Former UK Culture Secretary Jeremey Hunt’s dream of a local TV network in the UK to mirror that of the US has been realised with the launch of Estuary TV in Grimsby.
The TV network was switched on by Comux which awarded the licence to operate the UK’s local TV infrastructure by communications regulator Ofcom and whose local TV Network Operations Centre (NOC) provides the infrastructure for UK local television companies to broadcast on the Freeview digital terrestrial (DTT) channel.
Comux’s local TV infrastructure business model is based on local ownership and profit sharing. The multiplex has sufficient capacity to broadcast three channels - one channel will be allocated to local TV licensees and the other two will be sold commercially on a national basis. The profits made by the sale of this capacity will be used to fund the services for local television. A further 18 stations across the UK are preparing to follow Estuary TV’s launch and go to air before the end of 2014. An additional 28 are set to launch in the second phase in 2014/15.
Commented Comux chief executive, Ed Hall: “Today marks a real milestone in the UK broadcasting industry by launching true local TV. To deliver local TV to over 12 million homes we have built one of the most advanced transmission networks in the world with the operations centre based in Birmingham. We believe this model addresses the key challenge that local TV operators have faced in the past - the financial barrier to launching and successfully maintaining a local TV channel. “
The transmission and network access for Comux is provided by Arqiva who will also manage the high power transmission equipment on these sites, required to enable local TV reception. Added managing director of terrestrial broadcast, Arqiva, Steve Holebrook: “The launch of local TV services is a valuable enhancement to the Freeview platform. Arqiva is proud to support Comux to deliver localised content to a large part of the UK population using our network of sites and transmitters.”
Editor | 26-11-2013
Former UK Culture Secretary Jeremey Hunt’s dream of a local TV network in the UK to mirror that of the US has been realised with the launch of Estuary TV in Grimsby.
The TV network was switched on by Comux which awarded the licence to operate the UK’s local TV infrastructure by communications regulator Ofcom and whose local TV Network Operations Centre (NOC) provides the infrastructure for UK local television companies to broadcast on the Freeview digital terrestrial (DTT) channel.
Comux’s local TV infrastructure business model is based on local ownership and profit sharing. The multiplex has sufficient capacity to broadcast three channels - one channel will be allocated to local TV licensees and the other two will be sold commercially on a national basis. The profits made by the sale of this capacity will be used to fund the services for local television. A further 18 stations across the UK are preparing to follow Estuary TV’s launch and go to air before the end of 2014. An additional 28 are set to launch in the second phase in 2014/15.
Commented Comux chief executive, Ed Hall: “Today marks a real milestone in the UK broadcasting industry by launching true local TV. To deliver local TV to over 12 million homes we have built one of the most advanced transmission networks in the world with the operations centre based in Birmingham. We believe this model addresses the key challenge that local TV operators have faced in the past - the financial barrier to launching and successfully maintaining a local TV channel. “
The transmission and network access for Comux is provided by Arqiva who will also manage the high power transmission equipment on these sites, required to enable local TV reception. Added managing director of terrestrial broadcast, Arqiva, Steve Holebrook: “The launch of local TV services is a valuable enhancement to the Freeview platform. Arqiva is proud to support Comux to deliver localised content to a large part of the UK population using our network of sites and transmitters.”
