This new initiative will see local TV beamed into homes by the same digital terrestrial TV network that distributes Freeview. DMOL, the organisation responsible for the management and allocation of channel numbers on DTT, has reserved channel numbers for new public service local TV channels.

These will be carried at 8 (England and Northern Ireland) and 45 (Wales and Scotland). Viewers in the areas that will receive local TV will be able to watch it by simply tuning onto channel 8 or 45 using their existing Freeview equipment. As well as broadcasting on DTT, it is anticipated that local TV channels might also wish to offer their services on satellite, cable and online.

Comux UK founder, Canis Media’s Chief Executive Ed Hall said: “I’m delighted that we will be playing such an important role in what is one of the most exciting changes to the UK’s TV landscape for many years.”

“I believe that we won because our innovative cooperative structure maximises the chance of success for each and every local TV franchise holder. I’m now looking forward to building the infrastructure and particularly excited to see the first local TV services on-air. This really is a step-change; previously local TV has been limited to a handful of cities but soon there will be up to 60 towns and cities with their own local channel. This revolutionizes how the UK’s local communities are served by TV,” concluded Hall.

The framework of the Comux UK winning bid is as follows:

• Comux UK is a cooperative not-for-profit organisation, owned in equal measure by the local television licensees and managed by Canis Media for an initial period of 3 years
• The primary role of Comux UK is to manage the multiplex responsibilities of transmission and distribution. However, equally important will be its role in providing technical and commercial support to local licensees
• Comux UK will ensure that all profits from the commercialisation of the two national channels that are part of the licence but are not ring-fenced for local TV are used exclusively for operating and promoting local TV.

  Profits will help to:
  

• Contribute to the costs of the transmission services
• Pay ‘dividends’ to the local licensees
• Provide revenue to a charitable trust set up specifically to fund projects and initiatives essential to the continued national success of local television
• Comux UK’s technical headquarters and The Local TV Charitable Trust will be based at Birmingham Science Park, Aston

The Ascella LED Light Bulb will launch as the Today’s Special Value (TSV) at midnight tonight with QVC Italy.

This is the Worldwide Live TV Shopping premiere for the Ascella LED Light Bulb, which contains a battery allowing the bulb to function even during a power cut.

Canis Media, which formerly operated TV shopping channels in the UK, Australia and New Zealand has remained a major advisor to TV shopping companies around the world.  In 2012 the company launched a new service offering a virtual European headquarters to product owners in the USA and other countries outside the EU.

Tina Lorenzo, Canis Media’s Head of European Sales, said;

‘It takes a lot of work to manage multiple relationships with potential buyers across Europe.  We can do that using our experience, our contacts, and our location in the UK.  Canis Media has been involved in TV shopping for more than ten years and we are well-placed to help product owners manage their relationships with a up to a billion European consumers.”

“Since the application was submitted in August last year a number of local licences have been awarded, and we have heard from several asking for more details on the precise role that the multiplex operator will have”, said Ed Hall, Founder of Comux UK. “In light of those requests, and as Ofcom is seeking further comments from interested parties, we have decided to publish our plan.”

“In the six months since we wrote this we have developed additional technical plans, particularly in the area of connected television technology, but we will wait and see the results of the Ofcom process before going into more detail,” added Chris Romilly, Chief Technical Officer, Comux UK.

Download a copy of Comux UK’s technical plan here:

http://comux.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Technical-Plan.pdf

We recently announced our merger with Entertainment & Media Group Limited (EMG).  The merger creates a new London-based business which can create and manage new content from incubation through to commercial success.  EMG has just built and recently opened a new theatre –the St James Theatre in SWI – with two live theatre performance spaces, bars and restaurants, edit suites, and a live TV gallery.  Canis Media is now able to offer a 360 degree service for clients and artists in music, live entertainment and broadcast media: our team can run live TV, web or pay per view events.  The Canis Media commercial team can build the business plans too.  For information about the venues please contact neil.coles@canismedia.com.

Canis Media launches SONY SAB on Manchester Television Network

Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) has announced that after an initial testing phase, the light entertainment channel SONY SAB has successfully launched on the Freeview television service in and around the Greater Manchester area of the UK.  This would mean that for the first time, viewers will be able to receive a Hindi language channel without a satellite, cable or IPTV service in their home. The channel will be available as part of the basic digital terrestrial service directly through an aerial on channel 53 as part of the Manchester Television Network (MTN) from Canis Media.

Sky EPG opportunities

Canis Media is currently conducting EPG position sales on behalf of two clients, and we expect to have a third ‘entry level’ slot for sale next week.  If you are looking to buy, please let us know.  Canis Media remains the UK’s leading advisor on EPG transactions and we have managed eleven transactions this year.

We currently have potential buyers for ‘premium’ positions.   As a mild Festive inducement, Canis Media’s Broadcast Services team is offering to provide 6 months FREE EPG scheduling and delivery services to the next three purchasers of EPGs.

Finally, as you may know, Canis Media recently advertised Sky EPG slot 166 for sale on behalf of PBS.  There was plenty of interest in the slot, and numerous offers; a reflection of the fact that these ‘premium’ Entertainment slots only become available on a very infrequent basis.  However, none of the offers received met with PBS’ expectations and they have decided to stay in the Entertainment genre for the time being.  PBS are however still looking at the option of switching their channel to the Documentary genre to focus on that more dedicated audience.  They have asked us to keep the slot on the market in the hope of finding a buyer with whom they can agree an acceptable price.  A full information
pack is available to potential purchasers.

For more information on this, or any other EPG position, please contact james.carter@canismedia.com

Freesat capacity opportunity

Canis Media is pleased to announce a low-cost exclusive deal for satellite capacity used for carriage on Freesat.  This offer saves up to 75% of the monthly capacity charges and is available for a limited time only.  If you would like more information on how to launch your channel on Freesat please contact helena.brewer@canismedia.com or james.carter@canismedia.com

EPG lease opportunity

Canis Media has an EPG lease available: this is an ideal opportunity for content owners, programme makers and broadcasters to take a first step towards launching a full channel onto Sky’s UK platform.  A part-time fully-managed channel with its own channel name and EPG position (available in any genre) is available at a fraction of the cost of a 24-hour channel, and without the long-term liabilities.
This lease opportunity is exclusive to Canis Media customers and is a great
opportunity to get your channel idea on air quickly with minimum risk. For more
information contact  james.carter@canismedia.com

Ofcom licence application, compliance and regulatory matters

Canis Media has been supporting new and existing channels with their Ofcom,
compliance and regulatory matters for over 11 years.  Broadcast Services Manager and former Ofcom Executive, Helena Brewer is on hand to offer compliance and regulatory consultancy advice tailored to suit your requirements.  Whether you need help completing your Ofcom application, have content for review, need help launching an appeal against an Ofcom decision or general consultancy advice please contact helena.brewer@canismedia.com  for more information.

EMG has just built and recently opened a new theatre –the St James Theatre in SWI – with two live theatre performance spaces, bars and restaurants, a live TV gallery that can broadcast shows on-line and on television.  EMG also manages and develops new music talent and with the acquisition of Canis Media is now able to offer a 360 degree service for clients and artists in music, live entertainment and broadcast media.  EMG recently acquired the music management business Maximum Entertainment Group.

Robert Mackintosh, Joint CEO of EMG Limited said,“Our vision is to create a fast-moving entrepreneurial group that can develop new talent in the music industry, create new TV formats that can provide access to the audiences that artists need, and offer a wide range of clients access to broadcast audiences.  Canis Media is one of the UK’s leading television advisors, and it provides a wide-range of operational, production and commercial TV expertise.  We have been working together on media and broadcast opportunities for over a year, and this is a logical step forward.”

Ed Hall founder and Chief Executive of Canis Media said “To have one company that can develop new talent, and then nurture it right the way through to commercial success ‘in-house’ is a great model.  We worked closely this year with EMG to ensure that the St James Theatre is a unique space in London, ready to broadcast live content at the touch of a button, and as we worked together we realised that this was a cracking business model.  This merger creates a formidable new broadcast business for London.”

Ed Hall will join the EMG board and Fergus Lawson continues as a Director & COO of Canis

Canis Media is a UK-based company that manages digital television businesses for clients around the world.  Established in 2001 by Ed Hall, the company has four divisions providing Commercial, Production, Broadcast, and Local TV expertise to support a wide range of clients.  Canis Media has been involved in over 80 UK channel launches, is also the UK’s leading television channel broker and consultant for the buying, selling and management of television channels and ‘EPG’ positions in the UK market. www.canismedia.com

EMG is an integrated entertainment group combining live entertainment, operation of television channels, management and development of music artists and the provision of broadcast TV and audio facilities in London. www.entertainmentmediagroup.co.uk and www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

Ed Hall, Chief Executive of Canis Media, said: “Our experience of launching the Manchester Television Network demonstrates that broadcasters are keen to reach target audiences through local services and shows how buoyant local television broadcasting is.  We’re looking forward to the further expansion of Freeview in Manchester and we’re sure that viewers in the area will enjoy the extra content on offer.”

Today sees the addition of Movies4Men and Movies4Men +1 (owned by Sony Pictures Television Networks) as well as Argos TV, with more channels due to join the Manchester Television Network line-up in November. The forthcoming channels are expected to include a music channel and Freeview’s first Asian channel.

Viewers of Movies4Men (channel 51) and Movies4Men +1 (channel 52) this week will be able to enjoy films starring John Wayne in the classic titles ‘She Wore A Yellow Ribbon’, ‘Flying Leathernecks’ and ‘Tall In The Saddle’, Ray Winstone in ‘Sweeney Todd’, Oliver Reed in ‘Wheels  Of Terror’ plus Robert Carlyle and Kiefer Sutherland in the gripping World War Two film ‘To End All Wars’.

Ed Hall, Chief Executive of Canis Media said:

“I have always believed that there is significant commercial potential for broadcasting content locally in the UK market. This new multiplex provides the perfect opportunity for broadcasters to access the UK’s largest broadcast platform in a highly targeted way. With the new local television stations coming on line in the next couple of years, broadcasters are going to have to think carefully about ways to value the capacity and measure the audiences. Launching the Manchester Television Network is a great example of our commitment to the development of the local and regional broadcast market.”

Channel M in Manchester previously used part of the multiplex. At that time only limited capacity was available to other broadcasters and channel numbers were allocated in the 200 range, which many viewers found difficult to find. Canis Media has worked closely with DMOL, which manages the Freeview EPG, to find a solution to ensure viewers will find the new channels with ease. With the improved channel numbers, the timing of the launch after digital switchover and the planned marketing campaign, the Manchester Television Network channels will be widely publicised and easily accessible.

The 6 new channels will include movie channels, shopping channels and the first Asian broadcaster to broadcast on Freeview.

For more information:

Canis Media
Susie Birkett
susie.birkett@canismedia.com
Tel: +44 (0)1494 878 078

Platform PR
David Bramley
david@platformpr.com
Tel: +44 (0)207 486 4900

Comux UK founder, Canis Media’s Chief Executive, Ed Hall explains the advantages of its bid as follows, “The combination of Comux UK being owned by its local TV operator customers and its not-for profit status means that its revenues will be used exclusively for the purposes of operating and promoting local TV.  I believe that this is the best way of ensuring the success of the UK’s exciting local TV project as it aligns the interests of Muxco and the local TV operators as well as providing the very best value for money in local TV infrastructure and services.”

The framework of the Comux UK bid is as follows:

• Comux UK proposes that the local TV multiplex operator will be a cooperative not-for profit organisation, owned in equal measure by the local television licensees and managed by Canis Media for an initial period of 3 years
• The primary role of Comux UK will be to manage the multiplex responsibilities of transmission and distribution.  However, equally important will be its role of providing technical and commercial support to the local licensees
• Comux UK will ensure that all profits from the commercialisation of the two national channels that are part of the licence but are not ring-fenced for local TV are used exclusively for operating and promoting local TV
• Contribute to the costs of the transmission services
• Pay dividends to the local licensees
• Provide revenue to a charitable trust set up specially to fund projects and initiatives essential to the continued success of local television
• Comux UK’s technical headquarters and the Local TV Charitable Trust will be based at Birmingham Science Park, Aston
• Comux UK will provide licensees with a complete, enhanced technical solution that meets all of Ofcom’s requirements under the Local TV Multiplex ITA, together with the essential elements of playout and content distribution infrastructure
• Comux UK proposes to provide additional coverage over the minimum specifications and also proposes to bring the Phase 1 locations to air more rapidly than stated in published Reference Offers – with all 21 Phase 1 locations being able to launch in 2013
• Comux UK expects to be in a position to complete the roll-out of all confirmed Phase 2 locations by December 2014.

Hall continued, “We know that we’re on the right track because we’re getting so much support from the individual regional licence bidders.  What they are saying to us is, ‘We’re worried that a commercial Muxco bid winner will be tempted to charge commercial rates for its services as well as maximising profits form the two non-local multiplexes.  If this does happen our fear is that the local TV project will be unsustainable for all but the largest local licence areas.’  It’s comments like these that make me so confident that the cooperative approach to running the local TV multiplexes is easily the best for the long-term health of the UK’s local TV project.”

“Canis Media’s local TV expertise and broadcast knowledge made them a clear choice as a launch and bid partner – it’s really reassuring to have the UK’s local TV experts on our side,” says Mark Southgate, who is leading the bid for TV Solent. “Canis Media’s deep
understanding of the Local TV industry makes them perfectly positioned to provide us with a risk-evaluated, competitive application.  As audiences want to see and identify local
content, it’s an exciting time for us to take advantage of this unique new opportunity to bring fresh, localised news and entertainment to Southampton and the surrounding area”.

The support for TV Solent’s bid is further evidence of Canis Media meeting the demand from local TV operators for a co-operative approach and access to a cost-effective, competent broadcast infrastructure.  Canis Media will guide TV Solent in its licence submission process to ensure all key application requirements are addressed, and offer business planning support and research expertise to provide the Southampton based broadcaster with a wide spectrum of Local TV consultancy services.

“Our experience of launching TV channels and assisting local TV licence bidders combined with our bid for the local TV ‘Muxco’ licence gives us unrivalled local TV expertise,” says Ed Hall, Chief Executive, Canis Media.  “We’re really looking forward to ensuring that the TV Solent local TV bid application fully communicates the strength of the bidder’s planned local TV offering.  It’s our job to make sure the TV Solent application is exciting, deliverable and demonstrably commercially viable.  More than anything I’m looking forward to watching TV Solent on air in 2013”

If you would like to know more about Comux, the ‘Muxco’ bid-vehicle founded by Canis Media, please visit: www.comux.co.uk

A great opportunity has arisen has arisen to purchase an Entertainment EPG slot on the UK digital satellite (Sky) platform.  PBS has been broadcasting on Sky channel 166 for 8 months and is looking to reposition the channel and focus their schedule more on documentaries and factual entertainment programming.

Canis has been appointed to find a buyer for the premium EPG position it currently occupies on the Sky platform.

The slot benefits from being high up the Entertainment genre and has some very high profile channels as neighbours and there have only ever been a handful of opportunities to acquire an EPG position this high up in the highest audience genre on the platform.

This is an opportunity to buy a slot that is clearly capable of generating revenues up to £5m per annum and our EPG team’s analysis is that the position of the slot at the bottom of the page means it catches the eye whilst audiences ‘surf’ up and down the EPG.

There are many examples of channels that have significantly increased revenues by moving to a stronger position on the EPG and a move to this position would begin to deliver an immediate return on investment to any channel moving from the lower pages of the Entertainment genre.

Interested parties are invited, in the first instance,
to contact James Carter or Fergus Lawson at Canis Media on +44(0)1494 878 078
or email:

James.carter@canismedia.com
Fergus.lawson@canismedia.com