'Local TV will shine light on heroes as it campaigns on behalf of North'

A new television network will celebrate local heroes as it acts as a champion for the North of England, according to the company’s CEO.
Jessica HayJessica Hay
Jessica Hay

Lesley Mackenzie, the CEO of David Montgomery’s Local TV, said the company was offering a Northern perspective on the major issues of today.

Ms Mackenzie, who previously held senior roles at BSKyB and News Corporation, made the comments as Local TV announced the launch of a Manchester channel to create a network of stations serving six million homes in the North of England.

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Ms Mackenzie told The Yorkshire Post: “The channel will reflect what matters to local people - we will go out and ask them what they think. Every day we will give the views of people on the street.”

Lesley MackenzieLesley Mackenzie
Lesley Mackenzie

She said the formation of a network dedicated to the North of England recognises the huge contribution the region makes to the nation’s culture, sport and public services.

She added: “The media is very London centric and you get London voices offering London opinions. The views of people in the cities we represent can be fundamentally different.

“Most people in the North seem very measured in their response as to how the Government is handling the pandemic. The rhetoric in some of the national press does not reflect what people are telling us on the street.

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“We plan to celebrate what is going on in the North of England,’’ she said. “For our football coverage we will hear from fans who have amazing and informed views on each game.

“After Covid, and when things get back to normal, we will progress to more content covering as many topics as possible, including crime and council affairs.

“We are producing high quality output in an efficient way. After Covid, we plan to do a lot of work in celebrating local heroes and new attractions such as pubs and bars.

“Young people in the North are amazing. I want the station to be a training ground for young journalists who will go on to great things.”

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Manchester TV has gone live on Freeview Channel 99 and forms part of the new Northern TV Network (NTVN) that includes Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds.

Ms Mackenzie said NTVN will campaign for greater resources for the Northern communities it represents in line with the Government’s strategy of levelling up the economy.

It will also provide a platform for local democracy. Northern businesses and public services will be the most prominent advertisers across the network, she added.

She added that the launch was in response to a growing appetite for local TV news that supports and reflects the communities they serve.

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Latest figures show Local TV audience growth of 46% with a monthly reach of 1.6million. During Covid the network’s Local Business Support scheme helped over 200 businesses to date with free advertising.

Mr Montgomery, the chair of Local TV, said: “Our new channel and NTVN will unashamedly champion the communities and the businesses of the north.

“The launch is a culmination of a £6 milllion investment in our mission to move the TV world from the dated model of centralisation to a new age of localisation with journalists working in the heart of their communities.”

Mr Montgomery, who has worked in the news industry for decades, also leads National World, which recently acquired JPIMedia Publishing.

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As well as now owning The Yorkshire Post, National World has taken control of the Scotsman and the YP’s sister title, the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The face of Manchester TV will be Jessica Hay, who said: “I’m delighted to be covering the news, sport, opinion and events in the city I love.”

Ms Hay added: “We will work closely with public and private sector organisations to provide a broadcast platform upon which to reach a valuable, targeted audience with the important messages that serve the cities and communities.”

She will be supported by the Local TV team of 32 staff. Manchester TV becomes the ninth channel in the Local TV network, which includes Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, North Wales, Teeside and Tyne and Wear.

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