Arqivas Satellite Media Solutions division and the European TV Guild are to provide a free month-long test platform to those considering launching their own new digital TV channels. New Start TV is a digital channel designed to power the introduction of more broadcast services with the free trial to help broadcasters achieve final funding for launch.
New Start TV provides free ingest, playout, compression, satellite uplink and support for content management. It meets the needs of broadcasters seeking a platform to demonstrate their content to potential investors, advertisers, sponsors and various carriers.
In addition, channel owners can monitor their content, trial new ideas and concepts. Arqiva is to broadcast up to four hours per day of each trial channels content from its state-of the art media centre to Eutelsats Eurobird 28.5E, which is also used for Skys digital platform.
Arqivas New Start TV model provides the ideal showcase for people with great ideas that make excellent television, says Graham Pitman of the European TV Guild. It gives the new generation of TV talent a significant step up in creating and launching the latest and most innovative channel businesses.
A major barrier to the launch of a new TV channel can be generating the funding for the launch itself, says Arqivas head of marketing services John Dunlop. New Start TV allows broadcasters to gain a head-start with a tried and tested business model before they become permanent TV fixtures.