Download Liverpool has to be among the first 20 Pioneer Locations for Local TV

Response to DCMS consultation: ‘Local TV: Pioneer locations’
September 2011
Liverpool has to be among the first 20 Pioneer Locations for Local TV
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Liverpool is very parochial and yes - proud of the fact.

Liverpudlians are also incredibly proud of 'their own' especially those who still reside in the
city ...conversely they are extremely 'anti' everything non-Liverpool, (especially Manchester
– and that’s not just because of football).

The city’s industrial history as caused Liverpool to have a highly developed sense of identity
and community. As a consequence local media has always done well here.

For example Liverpool has one of the most successful commercial radio stations in the UK,
Radio City were the first UK radio station to broadcast 24 hours; BBC Radio Merseyside is
one of the jewels in BBC local radio.

It is widely known that the City has always had a chip on its collective shoulder that
Manchester is where the television network’s regional news comes from and the perceived
bias of the presenters. This would be immediately overcome by a Liverpool Television
station – a television station that the city has needed and been crying out for …for decades!

Undoubtedly, a new television station for the City of Liverpool would be keenly supported.
At one time Granada TV used to broadcast 'This Morning' from Liverpool's Albert Dock. That
was moved to London around the same time as they closed their large Liverpool News Room
(also at the Dock) …coincidentally, just after they had had their franchise renewed.

And yet Liverpool continues to be a major source of news stories; from the Beatles and
Merseybeat to the Dockers' Militancy and tendency for strikes throughout the 60's and 70's,
unemployment, deprivation and hope through the 'Derek Hatton' years, the Hillsborough
and Heysel football disasters and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's golden years; the list is
endless.

Until recently the city had been in the doldrums. But now with the recent £3bn investment
in regeneration including the hugely successful 'Liverpool One' shopping complex and
thousands of new, exclusive riverfront apartments, the city had a new sense of purpose and
vitality.

Liverpool continues as a major hub for music, sport, news, Politics and Trade Unionism. It’s
not just about football and horse races! The City is recognised as one of the most important
for Contemporary Art in Europe with many galleries and opportunities for artists in
residence.

In 2008 it was the European City of Culture and described to visitors as boasting more Grade
I and II listed buildings than any other British city after London. It also has some of the finest
modern architecture in Europe. Its world famous skyline, defined by the Three Graces - the
Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool have helped make
Liverpool a World Heritage Site, joining an elite group including The Pyramids at Giza,
Stonehenge and the Great Wall of China.

Liverpool Biennial is the largest as well as one of the most exciting contemporary visual arts
events in the UK, with over 1 million visitors. The next is in 2012.

There is a wealth of activity going on in Liverpool, very little of which ever gets on to the TV
screens.

Liverpool continues to produce World-Renowned artists... from the days of actor Rex
Harrison, comedians Robb Wilton, Arthur Askey, Ken Dodd and Jimmy Tarbuck, through jazzloving, historian, journalist and writer, George Melly, former Archbishop of Canterbury
Robert Runcie, television playwright Carla Lane and Lynda La Plante; actresses Alison
Steadman and Sex and The City's Kim Cattrall... that doesn't even touch the musicians and
sports stars who originate from the city.

With so much talent around local TV has to have the best chance of success in this City.
N.B. The Liverpool station is part of a larger YourTV entity which plans to develop a federation of
city and town based local television stations across the UK. While YourTV’s portfolio will grow from
its local roots, such as those here in ‘Liverpool’, at the core of the operation from day one is a
centralised unit providing a shared infrastructure. It will also offer launch expertise, national
advertising representation, marketing, web and IP development, technical and IT support, coordinated market and audience research along with commercial and programme production, and
back office support services.
This potent combination of proven TV expertise, commercial acumen, unrivalled market knowledge
and group support will ensure that Local TV in Liverpool gets off to the best possible start.
The Liverpool YourTV team is led by Mark Jones who is one of the best known faces in Liverpool
entertainment circles. He is one of the most experienced radio presenters currently on-air in the UK.
Starting in his hometown at BBC Radio Manchester, he graduated to Liverpool’s Radio City where he
spent most of his career.
In addition nowadays he is in great demand as a compere of award ceremonies and Sportsmen’s
dinners. A consummate networker and avid sport fan, Mark has worked with many of his
idols; included in the long list are David Beckham, ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, Frank Bruno and Sir Alex
Ferguson. He’s also hosted a very successful “sportsmen’s-dinners-for-the-troops” tour of war-torn
Kosovo with Alan Ball MBE and Jack Charlton OBE. Mark’s deep rooted understanding of the city
along with his team and their extensive contacts will enable YourTV Liverpool to hit the ground
running.
Mark Jones, September 2011