STV joins Channel 6 local TV network bid

STV has joined a bid submitted by Richard Horwood’s Channel 6 group to adopt Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt’s new UK-wide channel for delivering local TV services.
Last month, Channel 6 submitted an expression of interest to Hunt about running the new national channel on Freeview, providing a “backbone” for local services around the UK.
STV, the holder of the ITV licences for STV and Grampian, has teamed up with Channel 6 to boost its own local media operation in Scotland, including the STV Local network of hyper-local websites.
Horwood, a former Trinity Mirror executive, said that STV is “trusted” across Scotland as a provider of news and programming with a local focus.

“STV has pioneered local services with the rollout of its hyper-local internet sites, which currently cover one third of Scotland and will eventually cover the whole of the nation,” said Horwood.
“Our partnership with STV will enable us to deliver a truly relevant service right across Scotland, and will define the template for our local services in the other devolved nations.”
He added: “STV is the one UK network broadcaster that has shown real ambition in local programming. We are delighted that they have chosen to work with us as our first major broadcast partner.
“Both Channel 6 and STV share Jeremy Hunt’s belief that the time has come for the United Kingdom to experience the transforming power of local television, and we look forward together to helping the Secretary of State fulfil his vision.”

Rob Woodward, the chief executive of STV, said: “STV is delighted to be working with Channel 6 as its partner supporting its vision to make local television a reality.
“In Scotland our ‘STV Local’ initiative already provides unique content for communities across the country. Our television heritage and local resources mean we are ideally placed to deliver expertise to support Channel 6 and targeted, local TV programming to Scottish viewers as part of the Channel 6 offer.”