With ITV pulling out of regional news provision and the regional press sector hit hard by the recession, the Government wants to beef up regional news through Independently Funded News Consortia. It is envisaged these consortia can be comprised of TV, radio and press players. Pilots across the UK to test out the IFNCs are due next year.
As well as broadcasting on the regional news slots on Channel 3 (ITV in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and STV in Scotland), IFNCs are expected to provide increased local news using multimedia technology.
Michael Wilson, managing director of UTV Television, said he expects to bring UTV's "experience online, on television and on radio" to its proposed North East and Border areas news services.
UTV has set up and to attract feedback from local residents on how they would like their news to be produced, gathered and delivered in the future.
The bid to win the contract for IFNCs in the North East and Border areas follows a similar UTV bid for IFNC work in Wales, where it partnered with NWN Media to form Wales Live.
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