Comux UK announces the formation of a Local TV Representative Council
Chalfont St. Peter, UK, 5th April, 2012 – Comux UK was the first company to announce a bid for the ‘Muxco’ licence that will be awarded by Ofcom this summer. The creation of the Local TV Representative Council is the first step in ensuring that Comux UK delivers the services that local TV stations need.
Canis Media’s Head of Local TV Services, Clare Bramley, will chair the Local TV Representative Council, and will facilitate regular and frequent dialogue between the potential local TV multiplex operator, Comux UK, and the L-DTPS licence bidders.
“I am thrilled to announce the formation of the Representative Council which is open to all those planning to bid for a licence to operate a UK Local TV channel. With clear and open dialogue we can ensure that the process is open, and that local TV licence bidders get the answers to vital questions about transmission and potential revenue,” said Bramley.
Bramley continued: “Comux UK was borne out of demand from potential local TV operators for an equitable, efficient and co-operative approach to providing a cost-effective broadcast infrastructure for local TV. The Local TV Representative Council is the body that will not only support potential licensees through the bid process, but will ensure that this group’s specific challenges and needs are accurately reflected in the services Comux UK will provide.”
Comux UK founder, Canis Media’s Chief Executive Ed Hall explains: “Aside from the channel transmission function required by channels, Comux UK will provide local TV channels with a wide range of additional services on the kind of terms that only a well-managed national organisation could achieve. Our plans include a national commercial model for the sale and management of advertising which will be available to local stations on an opt in/opt out basis.”
Hall continued: “After the award of the licences the Council members that are awarded licences will become the shareholder group that will own and control Comux UK going forward. My vision is for a national organisation that is deeply co-operative in nature, but highly commercial in its activity. I think this is the only way to make very challenging local TV business models work.”
About Comux
Comux UK was created by Canis Media’s Chief Executive Ed Hall to meet the demand from potential local TV operators for an equitable, efficient and co-operative approach to providing a cost-effective distribution infrastructure for local TV in the UK.
The team at Canis Media has worked with most of the UK’s local broadcasters providing physical and commercial services. The team has unique experience in assisting smaller channel operators to create realistic business plans.
The Comux UK approach has been developed to provide a commercially sustainable and robust solution to the unique challenges facing local TV operators, whilst providing an attractive return to our stakeholders, the licence holders themselves, and the local TV industry as a whole. www.comux.co.uk
