News

12/07/2011

Skys the limit for TV Channel

A television channel focusing solely on Cornwall is being launched for the first time this week.  The initial one hour show, which is being aired tomorrow night on Sky, will feature news and sports as well as countywide pursuits.

The privately funded project called Television Cornwall is a joint venture which has been spearheaded by former Sky news reporter Mark Bishop and facilitated by Information Television.  Mr Bishop believed it would improve job prospects in the county as well as helping students seeking media careers.

Filming has been on location and in studios at University College Falmouth, which the programme makers hope will become a permanent base for the series.  The pilot, which runs for the next six weeks, is believed to be the first of its kind looking at the county and everyday Cornish life and culture.

Mr Bishop, who lives on The Lizard, and has invested £50,000 so far in the deal, said he was confident it would prove a hit with audiences far and wide.  "We need a studio five days a week and I am in talks with the college to provide the TV facilities on a permanent basis for our channel".

"I know this venture will not only add to the colleges already excellent reputation, but also provide employment to the Falmouth in terms of recruiting skilled, professional personnel to work in key areas of Television Cornwall".

The region, he said, already has a plethora of shows covering the South West, predominantly Plymouth and Bristol, with none dedicated to Cornwall.  "It's high time Britain's most beautiful county had its own local television programming which truly reflects local issues for the people of Cornwall and not stories in Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Bristol".

"Trying to cover Cornwlal properly from another county is not the solution.  We will be covering stories in Cornwall, about Cornwall, for the people of Cornwall - wherever they may be", he added.  The show can be seen on Sky Channel 203 at 8pm on Fridays.

West Brition - 7/7/11