Local TV viewers – that’s over a potential five million households, or 18 per cent of UK viewers according to the broadcaster – will have noticed some major aesthetic changes over the weekend as the network rebranded its eight hyperlocal stations under News UK’s Talk moniker.
Following the brand licensing deal the broadcasters five stations in the North will be known as TalkLeeds, TalkLiverpool, TalkNorthWales, TalkTeesside and TalkTyne&Wear, sitting alongside TalkBirmingham, TalkBristol and TalkCardiff.
The channels already broadcast syndicated TalkTV content when they are not running their own local output under a partnership deal with the NewsUK brand across Freeview and Virgin Media, agreed in January this year.
The Leeds-based broadcaster added that all channels will remain wholly-owned by Local TV, which is chaired by National World CEO David Montgomery alongside CEO Lesley Mackenzie, and that the stations will retain their current focus on local content alongside the content they already broadcast from TalkTV.
CEO Mackenzie said: “Local TV remains entirely committed to its remit to serve local audiences with local content. This rebranding simply better articulates our proposition to our local audiences. Partnering with a national broadcaster is key to the model for local TV provision, and in TalkTV we have a partner who really adds value and is compatible to our offer.”
Richard Wallace, Head of TalkTV, added: “I’m delighted to extend our partnership with Local TV. These eight local stations benefit from the great content we’re producing within TalkTV, including the award-winning broadcast talent that is Piers Morgan, and content from our new-launch breakfast show, Talk Today, with Jeremy Kyle and Nicola Thorp.”
