Local TV

I think we've been reasonably fair with our critique of the That's TV Group by not blaming the staff on the front line. For example, the shoddy sound which is a That's trademark due to poor equipment.

Absolutely! I wasn't saying this forum criticises the staff, I just more meant as to how powerless the staff often are when technical situations arise.

Although there are people on this thread who have criticised local TV staff, with Charlotte Briere-Edney being a particular target in the past. As I have said myself, it's often not the fault of those on the front-line, but rather management higher-up.

I recently sent an e-mail to Daniel Cass, CEO of That's Television with a few thoughts on their service. However, he hasn't even bothered to reply. Neither have they ever replied to any e-mail I've sent to them previously via their website or directly. If they can't reply to a viewer with even a 'Thank-you for your comments.', then it's saying something about both them as a person and their business.

Of course he hasn't replied, he's the CEO of a multi-station television network (regardless of how bad it is). Do you really think he's got time during his working day to be responding to unsolicited feedback from a member of the public?!


I can barely get an email response from my boss most of the time and she sits two desks away from me!

Actually, Jamie Conway of Made TV is pretty good at responding to emails, or at the very least forwarding it to the relevant station. I imagine the culture of Made is very different to That's though.

Whilst I get your point (and they're certainly not the only company to not respond to e-mails), he could send any direct e-mail he receives to a secretary or other staff member for reply. A simple form e-mail from one of his staff would engender some good-will. Also, if they have a form on the website inviting comments, queries or whatever else, then they should respond to those comments.

The Crunch has finished on Made in Cardiff. Seems like they're going back to having more programmes rather than one big one.

These stations are so bad around here it honestly seems to me like a waste of a good EPG space. Perhaps something like a more localised network with a consistent brand but with more independent stations would be better (sort of like ITV but more local), I don’t know.

The Crunch was pretty decent though, with watchable local content and it gave the channel real personality (as I think the montage above testifies). Also, the two presenters pretty much do everything from programme planning to editing the packages, so when you consider that it's kinda impressive.

Up here there isn’t anything like that, That’s Lancashire is a dreadful waste of space

Looks like The Crunch has also finished in Bristol, along with the local magazine shows in other cities - certainly Birmingham and Leeds. Made have also announced 40 job losses across the network.

Have any of the channels that actually made it to air actually closed yet or gone bust. I think they've all been acquired by Made or Thats TV, and although Made at least tries to look like a half decent network I don't think handing over a third of it's schedule to Tru TV, especially in primetime, has helped it establish it's own identity, however crucial financially that deal may be. Now Mustard is gone Notts TV is probably the only one with a real local identity.