Local TV on the banks of the River Humber

Estuary TV (New Local TV station) 

I've now had a little  time to dip and out of the new Estuary TV. As far as I can tell among my associates I'm the only one in West Hull and surrounding villages to bother, despite it being a cracking signal. If you don't already know, these new 'local' TV services are transmitting on the regular UHF band at Channel 8. There are stations also planned for York and Scarborough, maybe as soon as late 2014. Quite why the fair city of Hull hasn't been considered for one is beyond me, but the authorities who control broadcasting in the UK have always ignored the 'City and county of kingston upon Hull', for radio or television.

Estuary is run from Grimsby, from the programme output you would think that Grimsby or Lincolnshire  council, or the college,  run it (maybe they do??). There is precious little programme content about the East Riding, and aI'm wondering if their licence or funding have constraints that insist they devote their time and attention to Grimsby. 

The programmes are usually a couple of hours each day, which is then repeated several times - a great idea that I proposed for a radio station about 25 years ago. It makes sound sense when programme material costs a lot of money to produce. 

In summary, the content is a bit dull and won't be of mass appeal, although maybe there isn't anything else happening in Grimsby and Lincolnshire. Its not going to attract huge audiences and so won't be a commercial success, and even more so when it seems to 'hide its light under a bush'.  I am impressed with the enthusiasm though - not seen that in TV since Lex Harding set up several TV channels from the old Concordia Studios in Bussum, near Hilversum. One of these went on to great international success - the Music Factory. 

Just in case you missed my original piece on the launch of Estuary TV.

Posted on November 28, 2013

The new local TV station in Grimsby opened today. Its putting a great signal out as far as Hull as well, but you will need to retune your TV or STB first, a simple process 9usually under MENU and then RETUNE) .

Nice to see some local TV without the patronising sneers, or Hull stories being subservient to those about Sheffield and Lincoln, as we see on the existing 'local' services for Hull.