I've always been a fan of local media. We dont sing its praises nearly often enough.
In the right hands, it can be sharp, witty, inventive, incisive, challenging, uplifting and inspiring. It can reflect things that directly matter to us, celebrating the places we're proud to call home, with an unparalleled focus and personal relevance.
Which is why I actually love the idea of the new local TV services springing up across Britain right now (available on YouView channel 8, or channel 23 for those in Scotland and Wales).
Dedicated local stations are already operating in London, Glasgow, Nottingham, Grimsby and Norwich. And now there's another exciting one to add to the growing list Sussex-based Latest TV, launching in Brighton, Hove and Worthing on Thursday August 28.
OK, cards on the table, I'm a tiny bit biased. Brighton happens to be my home city. But that's the whole point, isn't it? The local channel on our YouView boxes should be the place where we look forward to finding news, sport, chat, entertainment etc. that really, truly touches our lives.
I was chatting just the other day to Bill Smith, Latest TV's infectiously exuberant founder and an influential figure in Brighton's music, arts and media world for a good many years, and he told me this was the most exciting project he'd ever been involved in.
Of course, he's bound to say that, but in this case it's clearly not just hype. Latest TV, like other local stations emerging across the country, has blossomed from comparatively modest online origins into something which epitomises the wealth of opportunities and possibilities digital TV can now offer us.
Besides local news and sport, there'll be comedy, food shows, movie reviews, music, you name it. Budgets may not be epic, but then, as with all the local stations, there's no shortage of creativity and invention, precious commodities in their own right.
And besides, a good idea that's been crafted on a low budget is surely still more watchable than a poor one that's had fortunes thrown at it.
Nobody's pretending local TV will ever drag millions away from Coronation Street, Doctor Who or The X Factor. That's not the idea.
Nor is anyone blind to the challenges it faces. It's a whole new concept for British TV viewers and it's bound to take us time to adjust.
But as a hub for our communities, and as a breeding ground for new ideas and talent, it's something we should be genuinely excited about.
For more information on the new local TV channels, go to http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/industry/Channels/local_tv
For a report on Latest TV's launch, go to: http://youtu.be/2de_dXVK4Nw
This blog was written exclusively for youview.com by our TV critic, Mike Ward. You can read his daily previews on our website at http://www.youview.com/whats-on/highlights/
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I've always been a fan of local media. We dont sing its praises nearly often enough.
