Oxford sees launch of local TV channel
Sunday saw the launch of the Oxford Channel devoted entirely to local television. The channel, which has a two year licence probationary period, mainly broadcasts news and reviews of local events. Programmes are repeated hourly and the station claims that they will bring a completely different angle of Oxford to the city's screens.
The Oxford channel is a terrestrial channel with local advertising, and although the station will not be showing any student productions, it claims to be aimed at as broad an audience as possible. However, the channel may well be offering training and volunteer work for those interested in working in broadcasting.
After the recent homogenisation of Oxygen FM many are questioning the wisdom of the decision to launch this new channel. "The Oxford Channel has the potential to be to professional television what Oxygen was to Radio," commented Sheridan Westlake, St Cross.
Coverage is limited, as it will only stretch as far as Wantage in the south and Bicester in the north. Broadcasts begin at six in the morning and end at midnight. Programmes will include reviews of the bestsellers in Blackwell's, interviews with local people, and coverage of local sport and cultural events. All the programmes will be produced in-house and will include a regular 'What's on?' feature.
Funding is being generated by local advertising, the cost of which the station says will be significantly lower than advertising on national television. However, with two local commercial radio stations, a local newspaper and two student newspapers the station is going to have to fight for attention in a town where many students spend significantly more time in the library or the college bar than in front of the television.