A consortium of regional publishers and broadcasters bidding to run regional TV news in Wales has unveiled more partners.

Taliesin News is heading up a broad alliance which includes publishers Northcliffe Media, Newsquest Media Group and Tindle Newspapers as well as ITN and existing ITV Wales staff.

Now it has expanded its list of backers with the addition of Swansea, Newport and Glyndwr Universities together with radio broadcaster Town and Country Broadcasting and production company Cube Interactive Limited.

The consortium is locked in a three-way battle for the Welsh news pilot with independent production company Tinopolis and Wales Live, a consortium headed by Ulster TV and newspaper publisher NWN Media Ltd.

Clive Jones, chairman of Taliesin News, said: “We’re excited to have signed up these new partners who add significant muscle to the Taliesin consortium and continue the momentum behind our innovative bid.

“The unprecedented scale of our alliance means we will be able to deliver a truly multi-platform news service for Wales, the first ever comprehensive alternative to the BBC.”

Town and Country Broadcasting’s portfolio comprises local radio stations Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Carmarthenshire, Scarlet FM, Bay Radio and Bridge FM together with the regional station Nation Radio which covers Cardiff, Newport and Swansea on FM and South Wales on DAB.

Taliesin says that the company will enable it to develop a comprehensive audio service across the radio sector in Wales.

Jason Bryant, executive chairman of Town and Country Broadcasting, said: “Town and Country Broadcasting’s market leading radio stations across Wales are delighted to be part of the Taliesin News consortium which offers a unique news service for Wales.

“We will use our radio experience to deliver a first class, independent national radio news service for Wales, increasing the relevance and quality of radio news to local radio and community radio stations across the nation.”

In addition to the three universities who have now joined the bid, Taliesin News already has the support from the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University.

The consortium has also recently launched a new website, which offers the public the chance to play a part in shaping its news service.