Comux selects Arqiva for multi-year agreement to provide local digital television programme transmission services
Comux, the community-owned business appointed by Ofcom to build and operate the local TV broadcasting infrastructure, has today selected Arqiva, a leading communications infrastructure and media services company, to provide its transmission services for local TV.
Local TV locations are launching across the country with the first 19 being rolled out later this year and into 2014, broadcasting on Freeview channel 8 in England and Wales. This prominent channel position will help local television establish itself and access larger audiences and revenues than would otherwise be the case.
Under the new agreement Arqiva will provide main transmission services including network access and managed transmissions. The network access agreement will enable Comux to use Arqiva masts, power supplies and new antennas on transmission sites. Arqiva will also manage the transmission of Comux’s high power playout signal, providing local TV stations with the final link they need to broadcast their programming.
Ed Hall, Chief Executive, Comux said: “Arqiva’s history in programme transmission services, and their ability to deliver local television within a very short timescale made them an obvious choice for Comux. Arqiva’s 24/7 support services will enable the local stations to maintain a good reliable service which is critical to ensuring quality and professionalism.”
Steve Holebrook, Managing Director – Broadcast & Media, Arqiva said: “The launch of local TV services across the UK is an exciting part of the new broadcasting landscape and we are delighted to be part of it, working with the dynamic and creative team at Comux in support of the roll out.”
About Comux
Comux UK was created 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.
In 2013 Comux was awarded the licence to operate the UK’s local TV infrastructure by communications regulator Ofcom. The team behind Comux has previously 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.
About Arqiva:
As a leading communications infrastructure and media services company, we provide much of the infrastructure behind television, radio, satellite and wireless communications in the UK. In fact our engineers led the largest broadcast engineering project in UK history with the successful completion of the switch over from analogue to digital in 2012.
Major broadcasters, such as the BBC, ITV and BSkyB, as well as independent radio groups, depend on us to keep them connected to their customers. We’re also providing the connectivity for leading UK mobile network operators and many emergency services operators. We distribute content and data to homes across the length and breadth of the UK and keep British troops overseas in touch with their favourite football teams via live Sky Sports feeds.
We have a presence in Ireland, mainland Europe, USA and the Far East. For example, we provide satellite distribution services for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. in the US and for France’s leading media company Canal+ Group. And our digital and satellite TV services keep the news flowing for the internationally renowned Al Jazeera Network.
We’re the power that makes televisions, radios, mobiles and other devices receive and transmit data. It’s a big responsibility and one that we take seriously. Always.
