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Published on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 15:19

BLAENAU Gwent is set to get its very own dedicated television channel this month (January).

3VTV, which will broadcast on the Internet, will show films about and of interest to Blaenau Gwent, and will carry promotional videos about local businesses.
The channel, due to launch on January 31, is run by the Micro-Broadcasting Centre at the University of Wales, Newport. It is part-funded through a three-year, £450,000 grant from the Welsh Government.

The channel’s content is made by two professional film-makers employed on the project.  Students at the University are also making films, and the project team also want the Blaenau Gwent community to get involved, suggest ideas for content and help to make films themselves.

Project manager Gemma Collins said: “We have some lovely films ready for launch, including a documentary about Josephine Williams from Brynmawr, who was one of the first women to work at Ebbw Vale Steelworks during World War Two, and a brand new Blaenau Gwent fashion series.

“We want 3VTV to be a true community channel, so as well as the team coming up with film ideas we want local people to tell us what they want to watch and what they want to contribute.”

The channel, named 3VTV for the Three Valleys which make up Blaenau Gwent, has three main aims:

• To provide a platform for people who live and work in Blaenau Gwent to champion themselves and tell their stories.
• To promote digital inclusion, by giving people another good reason to go online.
• To help boost the local economy by making promotional films for local small businesses and showing them free of charge on 3VTV.

Miss Collins said: “In an increasingly national and global economic system, what we’re offering local businesses is the opportunity to use the latest technology to get their message out there to the customer base that remains right on their doorstep.”

Businesses will also be licensed to use the film on their own websites.
3VTV will be an “on-demand” rather than having a schedule, meaning viewers choose what to watch and when.

The launch of 3VTV coincides with a drive by the Westminster government to localise television services, which it describes as a commitment to “decentralise” broadcasting.

The University of Wales, Newport sees 3VTV as a pilot project which, if successful, could see other local channels created in other areas of Wales.

The channel can be seen from January 31 at www.3vtv.co.uk. Anyone with a film idea or who wants to make a film for the channel can call the 3VTV team on 01495 722973 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.