Behind the scenes of Latest TV with Tim Ridgway
Backing the BBC
What have the BBC ever done for us?
It’s a question that is right up there with the famous Monty Python rant about Romans.
I mean, aside from ensuring that the UK has independent, commercial-free television in every home; aside from its commitment to accuracy; aside from its great comedies; aside from elephants who defecate all over a TV studio, Aunty hasn’t really done a lot for the UK, has it?
Despite all the whinging, its lack of accountability and the fact that some of those who work there think themselves a cut above, actually the Beeb does do a lot of good.
This is continuing with its support of local TV.
Many of you will know that, from August 28, Latest TV will launch, giving Brighton and Hove a truly local television channel for the very first time.
It’s been a long journey – our owner Bill was in shorts when he first came up with the idea and now, after months of careful planning, the dream is becoming a reality.
The studio is nearly done, investors and sponsors are on board and the team is raring to go.
But as well as producing top-notch telly for all you lovely people locally, Latest TV will also be championing the city further afield.
Programmes we make in Brighton and Hove featuring some of our amazing collection of talented people can be shown on other local TV channels across the country.
And thanks to the BBC setting some money aside from the massive sums it receives from the licence fee, some of our material will be sold to the BBC for use on its television and radio programming.
For Latest TV that means that our footage will not only be shown on freeview channel 8, as well as on Virgin and online on demand, but also on BBC One regional news and on the airwaves.
Not everyone at the BBC are happy about the deal, with some claiming the material will not be good enough or up to its standards.
But, for all those naysayers, let me tell you: if it’s not good enough for the BBC, it’s not good enough for Latest TV.
And having worked on the other side when Aunty’s team of journalists do not give credit for “borrowing” other people’s work, it’s nice to be in a position where those on the front line are to be rewarded.
It’s a sign that times are achanging in the world of the small screen.
Recently Tony Hall, the BBC’s new director general, made it clear that he expects Aunty to look beyond the walls of New Broadcasting House when commissioning new programmes.
Independent television companies have been making amazing content for years; we can now throw local TV into that category.
It seems madness that a public sector broadcaster does not think it should use this resource to create the best possible product for those who matter: the licence fee payer.
Currently the BBC does a very good job covering news regionally. But Brighton and Hove often gets overlooked with attention focused so much on places in Kent I’ve never heard of, never mind visited.
The reason for this is not due to lack of trying, but a smaller pool of resources.
If Latest TV can help counter the balance and ensure that decision-makers in Brighton and Hove are placed under the scrutiny that the public demand, then surely that’s a good thing.
If this is then made available to a wider audience, then even better.
So if you’re sat at home wondering why there’s an increase in Brighton and Hove stories on your local BBC news then you’ll know why.
And if it helps produce great content for everyone, then it’s a win-win for everyone.
Who said Aunty did nothing for us?
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