Kent Council TV Station Axed
Kent County Council has announced it is to scrap its online television channel Kent TV because of “difficult economic times”.
The council announced its decision not to continue the television station, which is provided by Bob Geldof’s Ten Alps, after its two-year pilot finishes in March.
The council had originally set aside £1.2 million for a two-year pilot and had later earmarked a further £400,000 to cover the costs of a possible year-long extension to the pilot.
Geraldine Allinson, KM Group chairman, said: “We welcome the decision KCC has made to stop KentTV. In Kent we are fortunate to have a forward thinking county council, they are persistent in looking for new, effective ways to deliver services and communicate with the people of Kent.
“There is also a vibrant independent media in Kent and we hope that going forward KCC recognises the strengths and benefits independent local media can bring to help deliver cost effective and innovative communication.”
Kent County Council leader Paul Carter said: “Kent TV has proved itself to be a brave and bold innovation and we have learned a great deal from it. It has provided a source of practical, useful information for residents.
“And it has particularly appealed to younger residents with its Sound Clash song-writing competition; its Animate and Create animation competition and its groundbreaking soap opera Hollywould, which tackled young people’s health issues.
“However, we are living in different and difficult economic times compared with when the pilot was launched in September 2007. In difficult times our spending has to be prioritised. We have therefore decided that Kent TV will not continue when the pilot period ends in March 2010.”
For further information please contact Paul Sinker on 020 763 274 24 or e-mail sinkerp@newspapersoc.org.uk.