UTV On Shortlist For Regional News

Belfast-based Ulster Television (UTV) has been shortlisted to provide the Government's Independently Funded News Consortium (IFNC) pilot projects in both the Tyne Tees/Border region and with our partner NWN Media in Wales.

Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV Television said: "We are delighted to be through to the next stage in the selection process for both these pilots.

"Through our websites waleslive.tv, border-live.tv and northeast-live.tv we have received tremendous feedback from the public in each of these areas on what they want from their local news service."

Speaking at UTV's Havelock House headquarters in south Belfast he continued: "We will continue to promote these sites throughout this process to ensure what we offer in each region meets local audience demands and is sustainable in the longer term.

"In Northern Ireland UTV provides the most watched local TV news service in the whole of the UK as well as providing quality radio and online news. Our experience of providing high quality commercial multiplatform news in a devolved nation is unrivalled.

"We intend to build strong local partnerships to deliver innovative news targeted for each area's specific requirements," he said, noting that UTV's plans are already well advanced to produce dynamic cross platform news for each of these regions.

"We look forward to presenting these plans to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) selection panel."

Three IFNCs are being created by the Government in Wales, Scotland and the Tyne Tees and Border area to develop sustainable multiplatform regional news.

As well as broadcasting on the regional news slots on Channel 3 (ITV and stv), the consortia will be expected to provide increased local news using multi-media technology.

See: UTV Media Helps Launch 'Wales Live'

(BMcC/GK)