The Community Channel is set to become the UK’s first community-owned TV, online and mobile brand dedicated to social action.
It is offering members of the public the opportunity to own a stake in the channel by investing in community shares through Crowdfunder.
Over the next five years, the channel plans to become self-financing, grow advertising and sponsorship income and secure further investment.
Caroline Diehl, CEO and founder of Media Trust, the charity that launched Community Channel, said, “This is an IPO for the people. Community Channel’s community share issue will create a step-change in its work and underpin its vision to inspire storytellers to promote their causes, share their voices, their inspiration and their impact.
“Crucially, it will be owned by the community and for the community – independent, creative and committed to social action.”
Available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat, the channel is known for nurturing new talent and offering charities and communities a platform to share their work and content.
Alex Kann, Community Channel director, said, “Community Channel has changed countless lives right across the UK – for our viewers, our charity partners and for hundreds of young people whose talent we have helped nurture.
“After 15 years of growing our audience, this exciting new chapter will enable us to grow the brand, create strong distribution channels, across TV, online and mobile and deliver even more impact. This exciting call for investment will help us inspire people and communities across the UK.”
