Viewers of MTTV – the Island’s leading on-demand video news service which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year – have watched nearly 10 million minutes of the latest local news, sports, and feature stories since the first report was posted on www.manx.net/tv in February 2012. The figures, based on Google Analytics statistics, are equal to over 17 years of non-stop viewing time crammed into just five years!
Shortlisted for the Kieran Hegarty Award for Innovation at this year’s Celtic Media Festival, MTTV began when Manx Telecom identified that although there was a demand for local video news coverage, and the technology existed to provide it, there was little Isle of Man coverage being offered by mainstream TV channels. Investment in 3G and, later, 4G networks opened up the possibility of roving reporters uploading videos from the scene of breaking news stories. This month, MTTV will accompany Team Isle of Man as their media partner, staying with them in Gotland, Sweden, to provide video coverage of the NatWest Island Games (June 24-30) to family, friends and residents back at home.
MTTV’s anchorman Paul Moulton, former broadcast journalist with Manx Radio, Energy FM, ITV and BBC, said: “It’s been an exciting journey made possible by technology, and worthwhile because of the loyal audience MTTV has built up over the years. Using 3G and 4G mobile broadband has been the key to the speed of reports online because we can upload from on location, almost anywhere on the Island. Skype, drone footage, and even aerial coverage from a helicopter after the snowstorms in 2013, have also added new dimensions to our news output. Viewers want us to be first with reports when big news breaks, and I’m proud to say we have done that time after time. MTTV has also changed the way politics is reported on the Island – ranging from live reports from by-elections and the General Election, bringing news and opinion from Westminster talking to MPs about Brexit, to the first live video broadcast from Tynwald. Interviews are not edited, so we can give people more time to get their message across in detail. MTTV is the only channel where voters can see and hear their political representatives week in week out – in most weeks the Chief Minister and his Cabinet sit down for an MTTV interview, where else does that happen?”
In the past five years the channel has posted more than 3,000 reports on all aspects of Island life, and many events abroad which have local interest, including reports from Sweden, Hungary, Australia, Jersey, UK and America. In addition to this year’s Island Games, MTTV’s cameras also plan to be in Australia’s Gold Coast for coverage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Recent feedback from interviewees demonstrates some of the ways MTTV has helped local organisations:
“I would like to thank and congratulate Manx Telecom for providing the MTTV service, both as a general observation and for personal reasons. Ticket sales for our charitable theatre show doubled within 3 days of our interview. The news reports are impressive in terms of cover and depth on a wide variety of subjects vital, important or of interest to islanders.” Josephine Veldhuizen.
“We had 7 plays over the week 15/21st April and from comments I have heard we have gained “bums on seats” because of MTTV. This coverage has also been very well received by all the visiting teams and their followers on and off the Island – so well done MTTV and Paul Moulton’s superb professional coverage, long may this continue. It is I am sure a wonderful contribution to our Island (and overseas) Community.” Olga Gray MBE, past president/Chairman of the Manx Amateur Drama Federation.
MTTV is a free service provided by Manx Telecom as part of the company’s commitment to use technology to support the Island’s community. Available through manx.net, isleofman.com and YouTube, viewers can also receive real time daily updates via an RSS feed and through Manx Telecom’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Photo - MTTV presenter and reporter Paul Moulton.
