Archant-owned local TV station Mustard goes live online

One of the first successful local TV bidders, Archant-owned Mustard, went live online today for the first time.

Norwich-based Mustardtv.co.uk’s web video platform now features a variety of local news, features, entertainment, weather, sport and video content.

Ofcom awarded Mustard TV its licence last September and is expected to start broadcasting on Freeview Channel 8 in late 2013.

Archant Anglia managing director and Mustard chairman Johnny Hustler, said: “Mustard Online is the next stage in extending the valuable service we have been providing to the people of Norwich and Norfolk for the past 160 years through our printed and digital publications such as the Eastern Daily Press and Evening News.

“It will give people a taste of what they can expect from Mustard TV later this year.”

Managing director Fiona Ryder said the website will for now feature shorter online clips before producing full-length features later in the year.

She said: “Our vision is for Mustard to be seen as a community asset: a local broadcast service that reflects life and champions community concerns and gives viewers a new voice.

“Mustard Online is the first step in that journey. Our partnership with academic institutions, local businesses and production companies will ensure that Mustard is an authentic local service made by and for the people of Norwich.”

More than 30 Archant Anglia journalists have been trained in the past few months in news presenting and iPhone video work.

The iPhone shooting kits are expected to be rolled out across Archant Norfolk’s newsrooms in ten towns across the region in early February.

Archant Anglia publishing director Bob Crawley said: “Seeing our journalists rise to the challenge of telling stories through video, as well as the written word, has been very exciting.

“Already more than 30 of our team have been through a TV news presenting training course and the results have been first class, with some great video shot in Norwich and Norfolk.

“There has been a great deal of enthusiasm from the EDP and Evening News teams and I am looking forward to seeing Mustard TV online becoming an important part of local people’s news and entertainment viewing habit.”