In the News

UK Solent TV prepares to launch on Sky
Source: www.satellitehelp.co.uk, Thursday, 23 November 2006

Solent TV, the first not-for-profit commercial local television station in the UK, has commissioned Broadcast Networks to install a new studio and playout centre at its Isle of Wight facility in readiness for its launch as a new channel on Sky.

The station, which broadcasts local news, sports and information about the Isle of Wight and Solent region, already delivers its programmes via the Rowridge analogue terrestrial transmitter as well as Internet streaming and local Cable TV services. From January 2007, it will be available on digital satellite across Europe, making it the first community station to access the distribution potential of Digital Satellite Broadcasting.

Solent TV, which is owned by the charity ‘Island Volunteers’, was awarded the RSL (Restricted Services Licence) on the Isle of Wight by the ITC (now Ofcom) - to broadcast to the Isle of Wight from 31 October 2002. Its flagship news programme, Solent Tonight, goes out each weekday evening in various time slots, driving the audience to the broadcaster’s prime-time schedule. Solent Tonight is also available as video-on-demand from the broadcaster’s website where it attracts 15,000 downloads each week.

"Our programmes are primarily aimed at Isle of Wight residents, but we are attracting viewers from much further away," said Paul Topping, the station’s Head of Broadcasting. "Approximately three quarters of a million people can watch Solent TV across the Isle of Wight and the South of England via our terrestrial signal or through the service provided by Isle of Wight Cable. However, because of the topography of the island, historically there have been some viewers who can’t receive our terrestrial or cable signal although they can access satellite channels. This is one reason why we decided to broadcast via Sky."