Community Channel has become the world’s first supporter-owned TV channel after supporters raised nearly £390,000 in a crowd funding campaign.
Under the scheme Community Channel becomes a Community Benefit Society. Its also appointed a new CEO and new board members.
Over the last five years the channel’s audience has grown from four million to over 10 million unique viewers, but it has struggled to make ends meet.
“I am very excited to be leading this truly unique broadcaster. In this ‘golden age’ of television we are ourselves creating a channel that is pioneering, eye-catching, and authentic,” said new CEO Alexander Kann. “I am very excited to be leading this truly unique broadcaster. “We are the channel of the ‘makers’. We provide the platform for the pioneers in society to broadcast their message and inspire people to take action and generate positive social impact.”
The Channel has also announced its new Board, drawn from the media and charity sectors. Chaired by Caroline Diehl, the Board comprises representatives from Sky, Channel 4, Arqiva and the Barrow Cadbury Trust.