Newspaper publisher Trinity Mirror and news agency Press Association have joined forces to bid for the new regional TV pilot scheme.

The duo has formed a consortium with TV production company Ten Alps in the hope of being granted the licence to make news programmes for the North East region of England.

Proposals to launch three pilot TV news projects – covering Wales, Scotland and one English region – were outlined in the Digital Britain report in the summer and given further backing in the Queen’s Speech yesterday.

The proposed news consortia will take over the provision of regional news on Channel 3 from 2013 with licences for the pilot schemes due to be awarded in March.

The consortium combines PA’s experience in covering and commissioning content, Trinity Mirror’s news operations in the region, including daily newspapers in Newcastle and Middlesbrough, and Ten Alps’ programme-making skills.

The group has been in discussion with a number of organisations within the North East and plans to announce additional partners soon.

TM chief executive Sly Bailey said: “The North East region is home to 2.4m adults meaning it is large enough to host a fully robust pilot of scale, while also being compact enough to launch quickly and cost effectively.

“The area is highly representative of Britain with its mix of urban centres and rural communities.

“We are convinced that our plans for the North East are the ideal blueprint and will offer crucial learning experiences to the industry ahead of the full national roll-out of local news consortia.”

PA managing director Tony Watson said: “One of the essential criteria being stipulated by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is that the pilot must go live quickly and deliver an enhanced offering across not just TV but also digital platforms – and all within a very tight timeframe.

“The advantage the North East has over other regions is that it is the right size to allow for swift development of the multi-layered service the DCMS is seeking.

“With the consortium partners we have in place, we believe we can launch an innovative new service in the North East fast, and to a high standard.”

Chief executive of Ten Alps Alex Connock said: “The consortium partners have a clear view of our respective roles and how we would dovetail together.

“We are all very excited about the potential for creating something original and fresh that isn’t just about a TV show but spans a range of online channels as well.”

Comments

the red postman (19/11/2009 15:35:56)
Sorry to be cynical, but does anyone recall the disaster which was Live TV?

Another Northcliffe Old-Hand (19/11/2009 15:59:20)
…and DMGT’s Channel One!

Fred (20/11/2009 13:46:20)
Er, the difference between Live TV and what is being planned now is that it’s not a whole channel being created, just a provider of news programmes on ITV. So the audience is already there, and the regional press provide most of the stories anyway, so why not think it is good thing which could help us survive into the future?

GD (20/11/2009 16:38:01)
With Trinity Mirror on board how can it possibly fail?
In the beginning it will look almost professional, then staff will be axed in the name of profit until the day that the local ITV news is compiled, edited and broadcast from the spare bedroom of a sales rep.