Genuine Enquiry

I am involved with a group looking at a new business venture involving TV. Having failed miserably to find any useful information on the web I thought I'd ask you folks! Its seems everyone has an opinion, does anyone have a working knowledge of what starting a satellite / cable channel involves? Costs, process, legalities, technical...

Better still, can anyone tell me with whom to have a sensible conversation on the subject?

Much appreciated if you can help.

I suppose a sizeable pot of cash is involved somewhere, and some high-level media qualifications too....

*ahem* You ever seen Friendly TV?

Only the once, but I felt ill afterwards.....

- Make / Acquire programmes that people want to watch
- Rent / Buy studio space if you plan to make your own show / live shows
- Equipment considerations
- Programme playout facilities / uplinks etc etc
- Licence from the ITC / OFcom
- Arrange a distribution deal with Sky / Cable companies / Freeview
- Advertising agency for selling adverts on your channel
- Staff to run the station

They are just the basics, and there is probably more that I`ve missed. You could pay an external company to actually broadcast your channel, Sky and BBC Broadcast are two such transmission facility providers.

In terms of studio space, you really can use anywhere if you use it correctly. Look at whereits@.tv for an example; they bought a shop on a street and used the shop-front window to good effect

You don't work for CBM do you?

And don't forget you need a device to put a logo in the corner of the screen.

Luckily these can be quite cheap:
http://www.blackmagic2000.com/logogen.htm

Do you hell? That's an option- one I'd rather channels didn't use (especially with all the non-logo crap (like the coming next/X days to go)that's increasingly píssing me off these days)

Well, that joke went right over your head didn't it?