Zinc Media Regulatory News (ZIN)

11 Sep 2008 07:00



Ten Alps Plc

('Ten Alps' or 'the Company')

Ten Alps subsidiary Brook Lapping to launch online Science Channel 

with the Science Museum and The Royal Institution

Ten Alps Plc, the factual media company, announces that Brook Lapping Productions, its wholly owned subsidiary has teamed up with the Science Museum and the Royal Institution to develop an online science channel to be launched in early 2009.

The venture, which has been named the Newton Project, brings together three of the leading bodies in their respective fields to provide a place for scientists and the public to share research, ideas and discoveries.

The Newton Project will include:

Topical stories and debate from the Science Museum - including the Antenna Live exhibitions that regularly break the latest science news stories.

Cutting edge science research and lectures from the Royal Institution - ranging from nano technology to the culinary alchemy of Heston Blumenthal. 

Events from the Science Museum's Dana Centre - from comedy from the Punk Scientists to a live link Q&A with the surgeon during a kidney transplant. 

The international reputations of the partners will create a global, community-based science channel committed to 'real' science at a time of growing demand for a deeper understanding of the scientific issues that affect everyday lives and covering topics such as the environment, energy or research at the most basic level of atomic particles.

The channel will be free to users - funded by advertising, sponsorship and partnerships with other organisations committed to the public understanding of science. 

Additionally, the Newton Project will provide users with online video, social networking, blogs and user generated content to provide fully interactive science news and learning.

The Science Museum, respected throughout the world has 2.7 million visitors through its doors each year, and over 12 million website visitors. The Royal Institution has produced 14 Nobel Prize winners and has a 200 year history of organising popular debates and lectures and Brook Lapping is a major international TV documentary producer, and a key player behind the Teachers TV project, already a pioneer in sector-specific online video.

The Project is being seed-funded by Ten Alps Plc, the AiM-listed factual media company.

Commenting today, Stephen Wilkinson, head of The Newton Project, said:

"There is a lot more to science than killer volcanoes or sensationalised health stories - making this the perfect time to create a channel for science-lovers currently under-served by TV broadcasters. 

Broadband technology opens up all sorts of new possibilities for programming. It gives us the chance to engage and interact with scientists and viewers in very innovative and exciting ways."

Alex Connock, CEO of Ten Alps PLC, added:

"Ten Alps has focused on the exciting possibilities for international, specialist online TV content - and the science project is the absolute perfect example. We are developing others too."

Dr Gail Cardew, Director of Programmes at the Royal Institution said:

"The Royal Institution is very excited to be involved in the Newton Project. This new science TV channel will enable more people to delve deeper into the world of science, and encourage people to question, debate and discuss how science impacts on our lives." 

Media enquiries:

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 all media 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 smaller offices 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 £81.4m in the financial year to March 31 2008.

During that period, seventeen acquisitions have been made: in factual TV (including leading producers Brook Lapping and Blakeway), online (video advertising producer MMA, CSR specialists DBDA ) and in print (McMillan Scott, Mongoose, Atalink, Camerons, Sovereign - all of which now have substantial online portfolios.) Only one equity funding has been made since 2001.