The UK’s first city-based television channel, Channel One, announced yesterday that it is to close following poor subscription levels. The cable-only channel is owned by Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) and its closure follows the news of the death of DMGT’s chairman, Viscount Rothermere on Tuesday.
Despite being lauded as a high-quality provider of local news and information, Channel One turned in disappointing revenues. The channel has been broadcasting for almost four years, to London and Bristol, and was relaunched a year ago offering an improved local news service in conjunction with the Press Association.
Channel One managing director Julian Aston says: “Our projected level of cable subscriptions will not enable Channel One to break-even by the end of the present licence period so, sadly, the Channel will stop transmitting this month.” Channel One Liverpool, a joint venture with Trinity Group, will not be affected and will continue to broadcast.
According to most recent ITC data, Channel One reached just under 630,000 broadband cable homes.
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Channel One: 0171 927 8658
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