London Live (TV channel)

London Live is a local television channel in London, England.^[1] The channel transmits local news, current affairs, sports, arts, events and entertainment. It is part of Ofcom's rollout of local television channels throughout the UK.

History

London Live launched at 6:30pm on the 31 March 2014.^[2]

The channel is owned by ESTV, which won the Local Digital Television Programme Service (L-DTPS) auction from Ofcom in February 2013. ESTV is owned by Lebedev Holdings.

The channel broadcasts on the CoMux-operated London local DTT multiplex, radiated on UHF channel 29 from the Crystal Palace transmitting station, and is also available via satellite and cable TV.

Test broadcasts for London Live began at the start of March 2014 with the broadcast of a short looped promotional film featuring clips from the channel's programming.

London Live broadcasts from studios at Northcliffe House in Kensington, which is also the headquarters of The Independent and London Evening Standard newspapers, both owned by Lebedev Holdings. Before the launch, the channel was expected to spend between £15m, possibly £18m before the break-even was reached in about three years. Revenue was predicted by then to hit the £25m mark. ^[3]

Programmes

Original programmes

A London Live reporter interviewing Matthew Barzun during the parade at Pride in London 2016

London Live News broadcasts three bulletins per weekday from 0830–1000, 1200–1400 and 1800–2000. Weekends, two bulletins are broadcast from 1200–1400 and 1800–1900. Regular travel, sport and weather updates feature throughout.

Since the channel first launched, London Live has commissioned a varied portfolio of programmes which include Drag Queens of London, Good Morning Breakfast, CTRL Freaks, Can You Cook It, Food Junkies, Fresh Fantasy, Jeff Leach +1, Place Invaders, F2 Kicks Off and Nihal’s City Swagger. It has also commissioned documentaries from upcoming doc-makers which include: Girl on Girl, Jail Birds, Half Man Standing, Teenage Kicks, Sizzle London, The Young Upstarts, Digital Nation, Roger & Robin's Night Club Tips, Ron & Ron, Fight Club London, No Place Like Home, Antisocial Network and Beggar Off.. However, much of the output comprises extensively-repeated and elderly series, plus half-century old black and white films (see programme schedules).

In September 2013 the channel announced its first acquired series with the family sitcom, All About the McKenzies. The series, previously only available via YouTube, is written and produced by Samuell Benta.

In January 2014 the channel announced its second acquired series with the web series, Brothers With No Game.^[4]

Others

On 27 November 2013 London Live announced its first prime-time commission ^[5]F2 Kicks Off from UK indie Renowned Films^[6] – the Film & TV division of Renowned Group. F2 Kicks Off with Billy Wingrove and Jeremy Lynch.^[7] Kicks Off transmits every Monday at 8.30pm.^[8]

On 7 March 2014 series Drag Queens of London was announced.^[9]

Other programmes

London Live also broadcasts a range of comedy, drama, documentaries and entertainment programmes such as Absolute Power, Green Wing, Peep Show, Smack the Pony, Spaced, Trigger Happy TV, Twenty Twelve, Famous Rich and Homeless, Filthy Rich and Homeless, Soho Blues, The Tube, Snog Marry Avoid?, Vice Squad, Hale and Pace, Born Equal, Freefall, Harley Street, London's Burning, Misfits, Moses Jones, The Shadow Line, White Teeth, 10 Years Younger and Cash in the Attic.

Many programmes have a tenuous connection with local broadcasting, which was the intent of this channel. For instance, London's Burning, Soho Blues and Ealing Films. The latter are sometimes even in colour.

Staff

Steve Auckland – Chief Executive Officer

Tim Kirkman – Chief Operating Officer

External links

• Official website

References