Canis Media, the UK’s leading independent broadcast consultancy and TV services group, today announces that it has launched Canis Local TV, to enable Local TV operators to gain a licence and operate successfully in the 65 towns and cities that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has named as suitable for the distribution of local TV over Freeview.
“Many of the interested parties considering entering the local TV market do so without a background in broadcasting,” says Ed Hall, Chief Executive, Canis Media Group. “We have set-up Canis Local TV to ensure that applicants have a robust business plan that can win a licence and that those awarded a licence can be commercially successful. Canis Local TV has been formed to provide all the broadcast, commercial and production services local TV operators will need to avoid the pitfalls and capitalise on the opportunities available to them.”
DCMS has consulted on the new framework for local TV in the UK. Any necessary legislation is expected to be laid between Q4 2011 and Q1 2012. Subject to this, Ofcom will then consult on its awards process and issue a draft invitation to apply for local licences, which is expected to take place in Q1, 2012. Ofcom expects to award the first tranche of local content licences in Q3 2012. The first local services are likely to commence broadcasting from Q3 2013.
Canis in Local TV
Canis Local TV is a consultancy and advisory service specifically targeted at those contemplating bidding for a UK Local TV licence. There has been a lot of talk about Local TV for a long while, but thanks to work of Jeremy Hunt and the DCMS, what has been a dream is now set to become a reality.
Aside from offering a licence application service, Canis Local TV will provide business planning and modelling, research expertise, advertising and teleshopping/DRTV management, technical consultancy, and assist with the creative development and commercialisation of content. Canis Media has been working in Local TV for the last seven years, and has significant experience in this field through relationships with current and former local broadcasters. The founding of a separate division to provide local TV consultancy and services is a natural extension of these local TV activities.
The division is headed by Clare Bramley. Clare was BT Head of Media Industry Marketing where she conceived and co-founded the hugely successful participation media venture BT Agilemedia, before becoming an independent broadcast media consultant. Her experience of launching Vintage TV, Fitness TV, SA Direct TV and Horse & Country TV, provides Canis Local TV’s start-up clients with unparalleled operational, commercial and management expertise.
For more information contact Clare Bramley clare.bramley@canismedia.com
