Soap opera idea for county's TV channel
Shropshire could get its own soap opera as part of plans for a new online television channel dedicated to the county.
Shropshire could get its own soap opera as part of plans for a new online television channel dedicated to the county.
Geoff Ward, one of the co-founders of the County Channel which is due to launch in the autumn, said that one of his ambitions was to come up with Shropshire's own television equivalent of The Archers or EastEnders as part of a 'really good spread' of different programming.
He said that the team behind the online station wants to have a wide stream of programming – possibly including a regular drama based in the county.
"We want to have a really good spread of programme ideas. I would really like to have a soap based in Shropshire," he said.
"It could be a bit like The Archers. It would all depend on what kind of sponsorship we can get. There is nothing to say we wouldn't get thousands watching that across Shropshire."
The County Channel will be launched as Shropshire's own version of the BBC iPlayer, offering 'high-quality' programmes with a local twist.
Mr Ward and business partner Robert Harper hope to put out about 260 programmes a year, with documentaries and music shows on the schedule.
They said that they want to make 'broadcast quality' shows that can be watched by people around the world once the channel goes live.
It is intended that the programmes would all be of a short length, lasting between three and seven minutes each.
The pair hope the channel will help turn Shropshire into a 'centre of excellence' for the broadcasting industry, with training established to provide skills in presenting, editing and directing.
For more information see www.countychannel.tv
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