Remember Channel One Television? Go on, you must, surely. No? Oh well, it was the brainchild of the Oldham Echo in the late 90s. Its output was, at best, ditchwater-dull. At worst, it was execrable; "local, much-loved celebrities" -- such as Billy Butler -- were regular faces on it (there's some gruesome clips on YouTube, but I won't inflict them on you).
Alas, Channel One had the plug pulled a few years back -- just as well, perhaps, given its dire output & unfortunate ability to attract the attention of the Independent Television Commission (ITC) (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/complaints_reports/programme_complaints/show_complaint.asp-prog_complaint_id=417.html ).
Like most local cable TV stations, Channel One was very much a 90s phenomenon; the advent of the web rendered such ventures obsolete. However, it seems such technological changes haven't been explained to Ofcom (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/08/14/frank-mckenna-and-phil-redmond-in-beauty-contest-for-right-to-run-new-liverpool-television-channel-100252-31621228/ ).
The notion of Frank McKenna & Phil Redmond engaged in a "beauty contest" to decide who should broadcast a mixture of mediocrity, parochialism & nostalgia disturbingly questions that commonly accepted definition of the term beauty. As the photograph* above shows, McKenna is the sort of individual who is keen to promote his, erm, appearance as well as his renowned business acumen. Redmond, sorry, Professor Redmond has contributed greatly to the cultural heritage of the city...hasn't he?
Two aspects of this silly season story are baffling. Firstly, surely Ofcom would have heard of the web by now. Secondly, who in their right mind would consider these two characters as leading contenders to provide a "local" TV channel?
*Photo courtesy of the Liverpool Preservation Trust.
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