For any Irish readers out there, are we looking forward to seeing the presentation on City Channel? It's launching tomorrow at 6am. I for one can't wait. This is the first "real" local Dublin channel, available 24/7. Yes there will be alot of repeats, but I'm really looking forward to seeing how they link to to the Phone show at 11pm. In case you don't know, the no 1 Dublin late night talk radio show is going to be broadcast for an hour a night with video. The format could be full screen, but I'm hoping for more of a web-cam style in-video with text.
OK it's launched......their site city.ie has some behind the scenes shots of their studios etc. Won't get to see the presentation until later tonight. But from their site:
Today, Tuesday 4th October, saw City Channel, Dublin�s new local television station go live on the NTL digital platform. The new channel will form part of NTL�s digital standard television subscription package.
City Channel is backed by a number of private investors and its Chief Executive, David Harvey. Commenting on the first day of live transmission, David Harvey said; "This is a very exciting time for City Channel. After months of preparation, we're delighted to have such a high calibre of presenters on our team, and such a varied schedule to offer viewers. It is important to stress that this is a local channel, and dedicated to Dublin. The sheer range of topics which we feature in our programmes will guarantee interesting television viewing relevant to local audiences - and this is where we can offer something that other national channels cannot.".
Also present as City Channel went live across Dublin were presenters Ray Shah, Jimmy Grealy and Lisa Cannon.
Lisa will present City Channel's �Better Health� and �Travel Abroad� shows, whilst well known radio presenter, Jimmy looks forward with relish to his new show �On the Menu�, which will profile some of Dublin's top restaurants. Former �Big Brother� housemate Ray Shah will present �Access All Areas� a review of Dublin's live entertainment, late night clubs and hotspots.
Broadcasting to 110,000 homes initially, City Channel will have a potential audience of 400,000 individuals in an area stretching from Dundalk to Greystones.
The City Channel service will broadcast 24 hours, seven days a week, and will be a niche service providing dedicated information and entertainment specifically of interest to the Dublin area. Programming will include lifestyle subjects such as motoring, property, local, government, Dublin culture, what�s-on guide, shopping and travel, in addition to transport and weather updates.
City Channel will offer affordable access to television for small and medium sized businesses all over the greater Dublin area, with tailored and local trader packages, as well as a number of sponsorship opportunities.
Presentation seems to fall into the "better than I expected" category. But given what regional TV's been like in this country (the old Cablelink Link Channel, for example, or Chorus Sports) this is a massive step up.
For example, there are proper adverts on this channel. There seems to be weather forecasts in between programmes, and there are stills, trailers etc. Have yet to see an actual ident though.
All in-house programmes seem to have a standard aston format. Most bizzarely, there is a constant on-screen clock, wierd for a non-news channel.
I see CEO David Harvey has given himself his own programme, a current affairs show at 5:30pm (there is only one programme each week.
One hour of the three hour long Adrian Kennedy Phone Show (from FM104) goes out from 11-12pm, so that should be, er, interesting to watch later.
Just caught an ident. Lots of little Cs rolling all over the place. Quite wierd.
There was also a radio style "Broadcasting all over Dublin, this is City Channel" at 10pm. Can't tell whether this was meant to be an ident or a promo.
The channel's trailers don't show programme times, strangely enough.