Network Six

I am posting this because I was unable to contact daanton to discuss this privately.

So, the idea is that London Digital will be a digital channel for London region, broadcasting on local Freeview multiplex. It will be owned and operated by London region franchise providers (here, for example, Londay (weekday) and EWT (weekend), and I'm not agitating!) as 50/50.

Programming of this channel will be a mix of archives from Thames Television and LWT, repeats of programmes from N6 schedule and local programming (news, talkshows and so on). London Digital will consist of two blocks/slots/channels - Thames Digital and LWT Digital. Their times will be the same as weekday/weekend franchise times.

To allow some fairness, Thames Digital would be operated by (EWT), and LWT Digital would be operated by (Londay). Probably, design of channels will be also done vice-versa (LWT Digital by (EWT) and Thames Digital by (Londay)).

It may look sometimes mixed and/or stupid, but it can work, if it could be included in forthcoming franchise round.

What are your opinions regarding this?

Franchises have always been permitted to launch second channels in their own regions on Network Six's Digital terrestrial (Freeview) multiplex.

I'm not sure whether EWT already operates a channel, but indeed anything in London would require co-operation from both franchise operators.

I don't understand the connection with Thames/Carlton/LWT programming, but certainly a second channel on Network Six programming would be approved by submission. I guess a splash of other broadcaster's content is good, as long as it doesn't dominate the schedule.

As long as it passes other criteria, of course. As you suggest, the rules would need to be checked re:daanton's rights.

Just a simple explanation why Thames/LWT:

daanton always wanted to create a second channel similar to Southern Digital (TeleSouth), called Thames Digital, in London region (he doesn't have any second channels now, btw). I decided to make a go-ahead, incorporating both franchises into this. Probably because of this, 'by accident', Thames segment was given to EWT.

Someone wants to muscle in and merge the two London franchises? That makes me quiver, and not in a good way.

Of course, it does depend on whether or not we wish to continue as EWT....

Only as a second digital channel...

(6/1/2010 3:56PM)daanton Wrote:  Someone wants to muscle in and merge the two London franchises? That makes me quiver, and not in a good way.

Of course, it does depend on whether or not we wish to continue as EWT....

I believe German was being hypothetical

Though integration is not always a bad thing in the correct proportions, and I think its highly important for two companies which share a single channel. Carlton/LWT have notoriously shared news (via LNN), playout and studio facilities... did they have separate text services aswell?

I was wondering what LDN/EWT share on the Freeview multiplex? Because whoever is playing out on channel 6, the remainder of the placeholders for any digital channels cannot be removed when the clock hits 6am on a Monday, which either means you share the number of streams between you 24/7, or you have some channels only operating Mon-Fri, with another lot on Fri-Mon

I think a unified news service for the two franchises in London would be a much more useful addition than a London-centric digital channel.

Were I to finally launch THAMES.Digital, it would not have its own news. Like is the case with SOUTHERN.DTV, it would either simulcast or rebroadcast a newscast from the main franchise channel. For London: if rebroadcasting, it would be at a set time(s) 7 days a week.

Well, let's explain some things again.

1) I'm not going to merge anything. Franchises will simply integrate their powers on one channel, and, probably, in other businesses.

2) Unified news service will be also good, and it was one of ideas I thought also.

3) I could discuss this privately, as I said, but due to the fact I couldn't I'm probably failing with this idea with all members looking at me...