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1. |
6-Net is the new name for the APFS Network. 6-Net
will launch in November 2005. |
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2. |
6-Net consists of 18 services targetting
specific regions in the UK and Ireland. The regions are outlined below, with the
present APFS Network franchise holder name in brackets: |
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· North West Scotland & Highlands (NST)
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North East Scotland (ThreeCastle)
· Central Scotland (Clydern)
· Northern Ireland (The New N.I.)
· Borders & Isle of Man
(TVB)
· North East England (Dynamix North East)
· Yorkshire
& Lincolnshire (Diamond)
· North West England (TCT)
·
Wales (Dragon Wales)
· West of England (Westward West)
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Midlands (Spectrum)
· East of England (TV East)
· London
Weekday (Lontel)
· London Weekend (EWT)
· South & South
East England (TeleSouth)
· South West England (Westward South-West)
· Channel Islands (The New C.I.)
· Republic of Ireland (APFS
Ireland) |
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The National Breakfast and National News franchises will continue
to be operated by 6:am and APFS Network News respectively, until further notice. |
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6-Net's prime objective is to provide
a balance of high quality regional programming mixed with the very best in networked
programming, seen across the UK and Ireland. |
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4. |
Regionality is key in our marketing and programming strategies.
7-day stations will be committed to provide 7 hours of regional programming a
week exclusively for their area. 5-day stations will be committed to provide 5
hours of regional programming, and weekend-only stations will be committed to
provide 2 hours of regional programming. A regional news service is compulsory
for all stations. |
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Stations must provide their own unique style of presentation
and must promote the regional brand at all given times. Dual-branding featuring
the 6-Net logo is permitted, though the regional
brand must take prominence on-screen. You can download the 6-Net
logo below: |
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6-Net stations have the option of
operating an in-house production company. All programme genres, except regional
news, can be produced by an in-house subsidiary. Stations are limited to 1 in-house
production company. |
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5. |
There will initially be 2 networked programming slots on 6-Net: |
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· Evolve; educational/factual programmes (Monday-Friday
9.30am-11.00am).
· A new network overnight service; TBA November 2005
(Monday-Friday 1.00am-6.00am). |
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All regions must carry these programming slots. Regions will
be required to provide their own continuity during both slots (i.e. regional v/o's
must be used). Regions can also opt into dual-branded versions (featuring the
regional station logo) of both slots. |
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Companies who wish to request additional network slots will be
required to submit a portfolio of their programme idea, via the forum. Portfolios
should list the desired day and time of transmission and feature at least one
example graphic plus a brief description of the programme. Portfolios are not
required for regional slots. |
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From time to time, 6-Net will hold
a 'Station Challenge', where all participants will be required to submit up to
3 graphics images relating to a challenge (e.g. How would your station cover flash
floods in your region). The station that contributes the most imaginative and
creative work will be winner of the challenge and will be awarded 5 points. Runners-up
will be awarded 3 points and 1 point respectively. At the end of the broadcasting
year, the station with the most points will be awarded the title '6-Net
Regional Station of Year'. |
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7. |
Other channels currently operating outside the 6-Net
coverage map will no-longer be considered part of the game. Therefore, the following
will apply from September 2005: |
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APFS2 will be broken up with the majority shareholders being
offered 'first refusal' in a new Midlands Weekend franchise, and provision of
the new Monday-Friday network overnight service. |
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APFS Ireland will be rebranded as 6-Net-EIRE.
Applicants will be able to bid for this franchise in September 2005. |
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APFS Gold and APFS Comedy to be sold. Money recouped by SWmedia
will be spent on providing high-quality programming for their region and import
programming for 6-Net. |
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Independent production companies are encouraged to continue submitting
their idents, endcaps and programme ideas to 6-Net
for inclusion in regional or full network schedules. |
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8. |
Successful bids will commence November 2005. Should applications
for a specific region be unsuccessful, the nearest operating regions will be obliged
to provide a temporary standby service until further notice. |
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In the current round of franchise renewals, bidding is restricted
to a maximum of 2 regions per-individual. Bids for adjoining regions (e.g. Central
Scotland and North Scotland / West of England and South-West
England) are permitted. However, the license holder must provide a unique service
for each of the adjoining areas - one offering distinctly diverse programming
and schedules from the other. 6-Net will be closely
monitoring those with licenses for adjoining regions. |
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9. |
When 6-Net's new regional franchises
come into effect in November 2005, the hand-over from weekday to weekend stations
will take place at 5.00pm each Friday. Weekend stations will broadcast through
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with weekday stations recommencing at 9.25am each
Monday. |
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10. |
3 Sky Digital MUXes will carry the 18 6-Net
stations that make up the regional map, thus giving viewers the option to view
the various programmes on offer from other areas. On Freeview, your main region
plus 2 neighbouring areas will be available.No other channels will be included
in the line-up at this time. |
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11. |
The creative quality threshold (expressed both graphically and
imaginatively) will be set at a higher level for the next franchise round. Bids
will be scrutinised by the Chairman and Executive Director of Network before successful
applicants are announced. 6-Net's decision is final. |
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