Notts TV awarded Local Democracy Reporting Service Contract

Notts TV has won funding to employ and host a team of journalists who will provide comprehensive coverage of local politics across Nottinghamshire for the next three years.

The channel, an independent broadcaster, is one of 18 regional media providers around the country to have been awarded a deal under the Local Democracy Reporting Service. As part of the scheme, the channel will employ, host and manage the three reporters, but they will be funded by the BBC.

Notts TV becomes one of the first local broadcasters of its kind to secure a contract. Previously the deals have typically been won by much larger media organisations. The channel will now recruit a team to focus on the activities of councils and public authorities across Notts from July 2021 onwards.

The stories written by Local Democracy Reporters are uploaded to a central system so they can be used for free by other news providers across the city and county, not just Notts TV. This means their coverage reaches a huge audience online, on radio and TV, and helps safeguard local journalism at a time when the industry is facing significant financial and structural challenges.

Channel Manager Chris Breese said: “Accurate, impartial local journalism has never been more important, and we’re really happy to have been entrusted with the contract for Nottinghamshire. We’re looking forward to building relationships with partners who will benefit from the coverage the team provides.

“Their audiences and our own can expect a balanced and highly professional news service which holds power to account and helps communities make informed decisions.

“The team behind the scheme have placed a lot of faith in the channel as a smaller, independent provider and we’re determined to repay that by delivering the best possible service to audiences and other newsrooms.”

Broadcasting on Freeview 7 and Virgin 159 since 2014, Notts TV is the local television channel for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

It is supported by Nottingham Trent University and Confetti Media Group, and produces live news, sport, cultural and local heritage programming from its city centre studios and newsroom. Programmes and local news are also provided for free on the channel’s website nottstv.com.

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