ITV Local Teams Up With Government Scheme

ITV Local, the broadcaster’s regional broadband TV service, is partnering with Mediabox to showcase short films, TV programmes, documentaries and vodcasts made by disadvantaged young people in England.

Mediabox, which launched in December 2006, is a £6 million Department for Education and Skills fund for 13-19 year olds which allows them to make their own media projects about issues that are important to them.

ITV Local London launched in March 2007 and now carries 39 TV channels of community-made videos from every London borough and the Home Counties as well as regional news, weather and local classified advertising.

ITV Local is also up and running in the Meridian and Central regions and there are plans to expand across the rest of England and Wales by the end of the year.

Lindsay Charlton, ITV Local’s director of programming, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with Mediabox to host the projects that young people will be making over the coming months.

“It really is a perfect fit for us. ITV Local is a unique resource providing a platform for broadcast quality video content. This link-up will enhance the service we provide and give a really high profile platform to drive awareness for such community projects.”

Katie Simpson, head of youth media at Media Trust, added: “The partnership with ITV Local is extremely exciting. Showcasing young people’s work to a mainstream audience is a key part of the Mediabox strategy. Mediabox encourages young people to make a variety of media projects from film and radio to print and online.

“We are securing distribution partnerships with media companies across the board, ensuring young people’s work is seen and their voices heard by as many people as possible. Mediabox has already given grants to 18 organisations working with young people throughout England and we look forward to seeing some of their projects on ITV Local.”

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com