Channel One launches regional roll-out in Avon

Channel One, Associated Newspapers’ 24 hour a day cable TV channel, begins its regional roll-out this week when it starts broadcasting in Bristol and Bath.

Channel One Avon launches on February 1, and will be available in 50,000 United Artists Communications cable TV households in the area, says managing director Julian Aston. The total franchise area has 300,000 homes.

Associated already has interests in the region’s Western Morning News and Bristol Evening Post. It will work with the latter – along with United Artists – to develop regional sales. Its first advertiser will be building society Bristol & West.

The service offers live news and entertainment. Up to half an hour each hour will be local programming.

The long-term aim is to launch local versions of Channel One in other metropolitan areas – next will be the Midlands, Aston says. “There’s a niche in all these cities for city-based TV,” he adds. “All local newspaper groups are interested.”