DCTV

Did people know that a new community TV station has been set up for Dublin? I've nothing to do with it, but am thinking of a tech TV programme for it. I pitched this idea to them and they emailed me back some points and criteria...

"The first step would be to look at taking out membership of the station. Once a member you can either pitch a proposal at one of our regular sessions to have a programme that the station woiuld support the production of. This support can be use of station filming equipment, post production or other resources or crew assigned to the project. Alternatively we can look at supporting funding applications if the proposal fit with our production objectives - generally through a commitment to broadcast letter.

Alternatively we broadcast programmes that members have made seperate to the station but fit with our objectives of Empowerment, Participation and Diversityand which they propose for broadcast.

Final point is we are in the process of putting together studio facilities which should be in place by Q4 this year. This will obviously make many programmes much more viable."

Apparently the station will be on channel 802 on UPC (NTL and Chorus), although for some reason it won't be on Sky...

Comments

[Orlaith]

It sounds quite bizarre the idea of taking out membership of a TV station, I wonder how that would work exactly and what that would entail? I was speaking to someone recently who is launching a TV station devoted entirely to environmental issues, it's not for profit and is privately funded. This whole concept of niche programming and segmentation is probably where the future of TV lies. I hope you progress further with your tech programme idea - it would be nice to have an Irish version of CNet news!

[Adrian]

I dunno, I'm beginning to think the membership thing is interesting. They're looking for €25 (€15 for unwaged), in exchange for the right to have a say as to what should or should not be going on the station. Call that weird, but you might feel a genuine stake in the thing.

And lest you're wondering whether that means that a bunch of religious types could just gang up, take mass membership and dictate the God hour (or whatever), my understanding is that the bosses have decreed that no religious programming will be allowed on the station (bit of inside information, based on an interview to appear in this Sunday's paper). And yes, I can see the Breda O'Brien/David Quinn columns about that particular decision already...

[goldenbeers]

It would be difficult for the god botherers to do that because I'm presuming that this new TV station operates under the BCI umbrella; that means any religious programming would be very strictly vetted. Which is a shame, cos I'd love to see some fire and brimstone types on it.

[Orlaith]

Goldenbeers: Interesting point, I didn't know that the BCI is supposed to vet religious programming. We're subjected to it every day on RTE - the Angelus, prayer at bedtime, those 2 minute clips from Kairos. Our state broadcaster has a religious affairs correspondent covering bishops conferences...

[Paul McClean]

The answer is simple: We fight back with a show dedicated at atheism and science! Count me in. Seriously.

[Orlaith]

Me too!! Episode one - Richard Dawkins and David Quinn go head to head..

[Elana Kehoe]

I've done tech tv in the US. Let me know if you want some help :-)

[click here]

I'm open to correction on this, but as far as I'm aware, the BCI's remit does not include RTE - RTE are subject to some other regime, possibly the RTE Authority.

I think that's why, when last year's Trocaire lenten campaign ads were banned by the BCI (don't get me started), RTE could go right on broadcasting the offending ad, if it so chose.

Perhaps a media lawyerly type can clarify this.

Also, I'm loving the idea of DCTV, and had heard about it being mooted some months ago. I really hope it's a success - perhaps it'll put our public service broadcaster to shame..