Zinc Media Regulatory News (ZIN)

18 Apr 2008 07:00

Ten Alps PLC18 April 2008 Press Release 18 June 2008 Ten Alps expands local authority online TV Ten Alps Plc, the factual media company, continues its development of localauthority online TV through the expansion of Kent TV (www.kenttv.com). Ten Alps is also in discussion with other local authorities - amongst the 217for whom Ten Alps already produces media - for provision of similar local onlineTV. Kent TV Kent TV, the first fully local authority-funded broadband TV service, will nextweek expand to 15 channels, and has moved to the Maidstone Studios mediacomplex. The new channels will include: • A 'How To' information service, covering anything from finding a reliable car mechanic to how to appeal against school selection procedures; • A History channel which taps into the vast wealth of Kent's history - from St Augustine to the Battle of Britain • A Food channel which will focus on local produce, restaurants and farmers' markets • A What's On service for residents and tourists. Kent TV was launched six months ago by long-time Kent resident and Ten Alpsco-founder Bob Geldof, following a Kent County Council tender process. It isavailable on demand and relevant to all those who live, work, visit or study inthe county. Since launching, it has featured major local news stories as well as features onart, business, sport, history and the environment. Kent TV currently offers 700films on a wide range of topics relating to the county, many commissioned fromlocal production companies or submitted by local film-makers and communitygroups. Ten Alps and local authority media Ten Alps works with 70% of local authorities in England and Wales (or 217clients) in print media. Ten Alps is currently in discussions with some of these regarding local onlineTV services, building on the experience of the Kent TV project. There is alsosignificant opportunity to bid for other online video communications work in thepublic sector. Alex Connock, CEO of Ten Alps, said: "Kent TV gives the local community a voice, just as mainstream broadcasters arecutting local TV news. There is a demand for local and regional information thatis currently not being met, and online TV is one of the answers. The issue of public engagement is a priority for government at all levels and webelieve Kent County Council has set the pace by pioneering a new medium withexcellent growth potential." Media enquiries:Pelham, Financial PRAlex Walters/ Hugh Barker Tel: +44 (0) 20 7743 6670 www.pelhampr.comTen Alps PlcJo Philips Tel: +44 (0) 20 7878 2484 www.tenalps.com About Ten Alps Ten Alps Plc is a factual media company - on TV, online and in print. As a multi-platform producer, it engages with audiences and customers across allmedia outlets. Ten Alps has market-leading positions in all its three key areas of output. • On TV it produces for Dispatches, Panorama and other key factual programmes for Channel 4, the BBC and international broadcasters. One of its companies is preferred supplier for a major five-year government contract to operate the Teachers TV channel. • Online it produces Kent TV, the first fully local authority-funded broadband TV service in the UK, alongside B2B websites and online TV projects, such as the forthcoming Vets TV. It also produces online TV advertising. • In Print it is one of the UK's largest contract and specialist publishers, with a growing portfolio of 740 titles across specialist media sectors including finance, environment, public sector and international trade. Ten Alps was founded in 1999 by Alex Connock and Bob Geldof. It has over 650 staff with main offices in London and Manchester, and smalleroffices in Dublin, Edinburgh and Gateshead. Ten Alps has had seven consecutive years of growth since listing on AiM in 2001,with turnover rising from £2m to a forecast £78m in the financial year to March31 2008. During that period, sixteen acquisitions have been made: in factual TV(including leading producers Brook Lapping and Blakeway), online (videoadvertising producer MMA, CSR specialists DBDA ) and in print (McMillan Scott,Mongoose, Atalink, Camerons, Sovereign - all of which now have substantialonline portfolios.) Only one equity funding has been made since 2001. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange