Non Regulatory Announcement

RNS Number : 0804X

STV Group PLC

30 November 2010

 



Tuesday 30 November

STV continues roll-out of hyper-local websites across Scotland

STV's network of hyper-local websites for Scottish towns, cities and communities, STV Local, has today launched another 10 sites in four local authority areas as the broadcaster continues to expand its innovative online and mobile initiative across Scotland.

Following the initial success of STV Local, which was launched in North Lanarkshire in September, the network of websites is now live in local authority areas Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray and South Lanarkshire, with 10 individual community sites for Aberdeen City, Buckie, Elgin, Forres, Lossiemouth, Stonehaven, Cambuslang, East Kilbride, Hamilton and Rutherglen. There are plans for further site launches, including Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Deeside.

Overall, STV Local has now launched 16 community sites in five local authority areas, covering nearly 25% of the Scottish population. This is the next phase of STV's ambitious roll-out plan, which will see its network of local sites rolled out across the whole of Scotland over the next 18 months.

STV Local offers a wealth of information for local communities, including news, events listings, ratings and reviews, weather updates, traffic information and a business directory, as well as information from local public bodies, sports organisations, theatre groups, schools, religious groups, and other engaged community members.

Local content contributors, such as community groups and local businesses, are encouraged to post their own news stories, announcements, pictures, reviews and listings, making STV Local a living interactive platform for users to inform, discover and share what's going on in their community.

Alistair Brown, Head of Digital at STV, said: "The response from the North Lanarkshire pilot has been hugely positive, showing there is a real appetite for hyper-local content and an opportunity to share information, news and events on a very local level. Our editorial team is operating right at the heart of the community, working closely with local organisations, public bodies and other contributors to encourage them to engage with the sites. We are now building on the success of the pilot to launch STV Local in another 10 communities, and we will continue to evolve and expand the service."

Rob Woodward, Chief Executive of STV, added: "As Scotland's digital media company we strive to make our content available whenever and wherever our audience wants it. This year alone we have launched the STV News iPhone app, STV HD and a content deal with YouTube, and we continue to build our digital presence with the ongoing roll-out of STV Local."

STV is investing extensively in editorial content and has recruited a network of professional journalists and editors dedicated to STV Local, headed up by Executive Editor David Milne and Editor Iain Hepburn. Regional and community editors are being recruited throughout the country on an ongoing basis, providing employment opportunities across Scotland as the network of sites continues to expand.

A comprehensive training and skills development programme is being delivered to the editorial team in partnership with NUJ, ensuring the highest quality of journalism and editorial content. STV will also provide workshops for content contributors in the communities, offering an opportunity for people across Scotland to develop and acquire new digital media skills.

The new local sites, which are now live, can be found here:

URL                                        Community editor

www.stv.tv/aberdeencity         Danny Law, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/buckie                   Sam Hampton-Smith, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/elgin                      Stuart Crowther, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/forres                    Stuart Crowther, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/lossiemouth          Stuart Crowther, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/stonehaven           Jenny Hill, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/cambuslang          Nicola Dowds, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/eastkilbride            Kayleigh Macleod, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/hamilton                Gillian Provan, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/rutherglen              Nicola Dowds, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/airdrie                    Kenny McKay, [e-mail]  

www.stv.tv/bellshill                  Nicola Dowds, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/coatbridge             Kenny McKay, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/cumbernauld         Allison McCallum, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/motherwell            Jamie Borthwick, [e-mail]  

www.stv.tv/wishaw                 Jamie Borthwick, [e-mail]

www.stv.tv/local

STV press contacts:

Anna Hendry, 0141 300 3830 or [e-mail]

Kirsten Blackie, 0141 300 3587 or [e-mail]

Notes to editors:

About STV Group plc

STV Group plc is Scotland's digital media company and pre-eminent media brand, incorporating broadcaster STV; production companies STV Productions and Ginger Productions; and digital businesses including STV Jobs and website, www.stv.tv.  STV reaches 4.2 million people every month and is Scotland's most popular peak time TV station. STV's content team produces a range of material for STV; and delivers commissions for key broadcasters such as Taggart for ITV1 and UKTV and Antiques Road Trip for BBC2. stv.tv is the most popular commercial website in Scotland, with continued growth in traffic. STV's digital channels attract over 2 million unique users per month. STV's website - stv.tv - is home to the STV Player and comprehensive news, sport and entertainment services.

For more information on STV Group plc, please visit www.stv.tv and www.stvplc.tv.

David Milne - Executive Editor

Previously Group Digital Editor with the Herald and Times Group, where he planned, designed and launched heraldscotland.com, David brings a wealth of digital experience to STV. He also brings expertise from the Sunday Herald, where he was part of the launch team and ultimately Deputy Editor. His focus on Local will be developing the site's national strategy, generating key partnerships and delivering on an ambitious roll-out programme.

Iain Hepburn - Editor

Iain will join STV from Trinity Mirror, where he is Digital Editor at the Daily Record and Sunday Mail. Winner of the Multimedia Journalist of the Year award at the 2009 Scottish Press Awards, he has more than 10 years' digital and print experience, including roles on ManchesterOnline.co.uk, Mirror.co.uk and the Press & Journal. His focus on Local will be day-to-day editorial responsibility for the network, working closely with the team of regional and community editors.

 

END

 

 

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