THE birthplace of television pioneer, John Logie Baird, is to get its own tTV station for the 21st century.
URTV Helensburgh is to start broadcasting on January 26, the 85th anniversary of Baird’s first public demonstration of television.
The hyper-local internet channel is the first of a network of online URTV stations planned for towns across the UK, providing a daily diet of news, features and information for local communities.
Privately-funded and with the support of a consortium of entrepreneurs the pilot project aims to use the latest online technology to deliver top-quality streaming video, as devised by VMIX the preferred online-video platform for more than 50 per cent of the US newspaper market and over four million consumers.
“Helensburgh is a logical place to launch a new type of online broadcast station as it is the birthplace of John Logie Baird,” said Jo de Sylva, director of URTV and an award-winning former BBC radio and television presenter.
“URTV is a serious attempt to provide news, views and entertainment to local communities at a level most traditional broadcasters cannot compete with.
“Increasingly, people are getting their news and information online. More than ever they want their news delivered in video formats that can be downloaded to a variety of mobile devices and digested at home, at work and on the move. URTV is the interactive online video equivalent of the local newspaper.
“We have recruited a team of experienced reporters and broadcasters from the BBC and commercial channels along with highly-skilled IT people to work with a new generation of multi-media journalists to provide good quality hyper-local news and entertainment.
“VMIX, which launched in the UK last November, is a world leader in providing innovative applications for online video, and includes the likes of NASA, ESPN, CISCO, Penguin Books, Toyota-Scion and the Post Newsweek Television Stations among its clients.”
Said Andrew Audry, VP, Sales and Marketing for VMIX UK: “We are delighted to be working with URTV in providing a new generation of broadcast news and entertainment for local communities across the country.
“The ability to deliver good quality television online to PCs, mobile phones, iPads, set top boxes and internet connected tvs is now a reality and local stations such as URTV Helensburgh will be able to use that technology to bring communities closer together.”
The spokesperson ended: “The launch of URTV comes as Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced plans to encourage local television with an Action Plan For Local Media.
“The UK Government has called for existing and new media providers to come forward with suggestions for a network of local tv channels able to provide community news and content.”
ENDS
For more information on URTV please contact Peppercorn PR on 0845 217 8757.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Peppercorn PR. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Peppercorn PR
Email: news@peppercornpr.com
