September 2014
www.tvbeurope.com
TVBEurope 25 Workfl ow
Mustard is keen to show the way
Philip Stevens visits the Norwich TV station that could set the blueprint for future local channels
I
n 2011, the UK government’s Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt put forward a proposal that would see a network of television stations established to cater for local communities and provide an alternative to the existing services offered by national and international broadcasters. One of the locations identifi ed in the fi rst rollout of these local channels was Norwich, and in September 2012, Mustard TV was awarded the local licence for the East Anglia city. Broadcasting began in March 2014. Why the name Mustard? Managing director
Fiona Ryder provides the answer. “The television operation is part of the Archant publishing group – owner of several newspapers and magazines – and we are based in its headquarters in the city centre. Jeremiah Colman, of Colman’s Mustard fame, was one of the original founders of Archant,
and we liked the name and the many things it stands for – something spicy, tasty, sharp and with a number of varieties. It’s a condiment, something to add to make food more interesting. It defi nitely isn’t bland. It is slang for something fantastic. All qualities we aim for with the channel.” The tie-in with the local newspaper operation was viewed as essential by Ryder when it came to making the bid. “The local element of news is vital for the success of a local station. And in our bid to Ofcom we committed to a certain number of hours per week for local bulletins. We are blessed to have access to some amazing reporters and journalists who know the city, and that makes our task of delivering local news that much easier and very effective.” Alongside the dedicated video journalists who work for Mustard TV, there are a number
Switcher is key
Central to the studio’s operation – indeed the workfl ow of the whole transmission chain – is a NewTek TriCaster 8000 multi-camera production system. “When I looked at what we had to achieve and the challenging budget we had,
NewTek’s TriCaster production system forms the core of the Mustard TV operation at the Norwich broadcast facility
of correspondents in the area who contribute stories for the news output. In addition to this output, the channel offers a magazine programme, music review and a number of other features centred on the city and surrounding area.
All the programmes are produced in the 8mx5m green screen studio – the former photographic facility for the publishing group. “It was the only space that had enough head room for a lighting grid!” explains Ryder.
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