Channel 6 - local TV bidder
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Channel 6 plans a network of 39 local TV affiliates, opting out under an agreed framework, set by the national channel. It will start with large cities of about a million people, dropping down to conurbations with 200,000 homes over four years.
Key people: Richard Horwood (formerly of Trinity Mirror), Rob Woodward (STV Cheif Executive)
"Bigger programme budget than Channel 5 [£135m pa] and we will be spending roughly the same amount per viewer as BBC2 [7.7p] ... 60% of our programme budget is for original production, and of this we expect the bulk to be commissioned from independent producers. Channel 6 won't be yet another mishmash of old US series and programmes you saw last week on our sister channel. And because of our local focus, one of the main beneficiaries will be creative talent in the regions and nations." - National TV bidder Channel 6 pledges bigger budget than Channel 5 - Media - guardian.co.uk
STV has joined Channel 6. "Our television heritage and local resources mean we are ideally placed to deliver expertise to support Channel 6 and targeted, local TV programming to Scottish viewers as part of the Channel 6 offer" STV joins bid for new national TV channel - Media - guardian.co.uk