Saddleworth News TV To Launch Tomorrow

Me with some of the students at the media department of The Oldham College.

Saddleworth’s first-ever TV station begins on this website tomorrow. Saddleworth News TV is a joint project between Saddleworth News and the media department of The Oldham College.

Students will be working with Saddleworth News to produce a monthly news programme, featuring reports from around the area. The first bulletin goes live here tomorrow morning, and will include includes the latest on the Phil Woolas election court case, as well as a look at new businesses which have recently opened in Uppermill.

The programme is anchored by a student presenter at the college’s state-of-the-art studios in Oldham. Students have access to all the latest digital technology to help them make programmes that look and sound like television.

The project is believed to be the first-ever link-up between a college and a local news website. Saddleworth News, which launched in February, has already grown to be one of the most popular sites of its kind in the country, with more than 10,000 of you reading each month.

It’s the latest example of The Oldham College working in partnership with media companies to help give students the experience of working in a professional environment. Students have also created a series of podcasts for Oldham-based radio station 96.2 The Revolution.

John Eccles, head of the Media Department at the college, said: “Giving the students the opportunity to work with industry professionals is fantastic. It gives the courses we deliver far more relevance.

“It’s one thing to make a student film to be watched by your peers but it’s another when a wider community audience will watch what you have made and will be critical of the work if it is not of a professional standard.”

Richard Jones, who lives in Dobcross and is the editor of Saddleworth News, said: “The site has already become known for its distinctive
coverage of local politics, news, sport and culture. It’s exciting to be able to work with the college to produce a TV service for the area – a real first.

“As someone with years of experience in TV and radio, I’ve already been impressed by the quality of the reports being produced by the students. I’m looking forward to working with them in the months ahead.”

So get ready to tune in!

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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