Jeremy Hunt's reputation at stake over Channel 6 strategy
Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt is staking his reputation on the creation on the Channel 6 local television network claimed a piece in The Guardian yesterday.
Written by Maggie Brown, the article, which ran ahead of bids being received for the channel today from potential broadcasters, highlighted Hunt’s determination to ensure the success of the idea, and said that while initial levels of interest seemed to indicate he was doing ‘well’ it added that the process was still in its ‘early days’.
Hunt is backed in his scheme to develop a national local UK television channel by former chief executive of the Mirror Group, Richard Horwood, which it is thought has peaked the interest of other parties as a result. Horwood is considered ‘the man to beat’ having received the blessing of Pact for claiming that he will spend more than Channel 5 on national programming. His strategy involves a four-year roll-out, beginning in the largest cities initially, and an annual advertising revenue target of £300 million.
Other bidders for the Channel 6 contract include Local Television Network, chaired by Greg Dyke, which would wish to see a faster roll-out of 80 local stations across the UK as opposed to Horwood’s 39, while Inclusive Digital, Element Television, Tinopolis and another Scottish group have also put their hats in the ring.
There is of course a degree of skepticism as to whether the UK needs such a channel and whether it is fundamentally sustainable should it get off the ground, especially as established commercial broadcaster ITV retreats from its regional responsibilities.
Hunt still has a great number of obstacles to overcome if he is to ever see the idea that he is championing get off the ground and claim it to be a success in the future.
The full piece can be read here on The Guardian website.