New TV Channel for over 50s planned

Beetroot TV to use online technologies to deliver programmes

Plans are announced today to develop a web TV Channel aimed specifically at people over 50. Beetroot TV will be a free-to-air public service channel offering video on demand news and information programmes for everyone 50+. TheChannel will operate on a not-for-profit, charitable basis.

The Channel already has the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a major grant making trust, which has funded development so far.

Beetroot TV has also been working with Independent Age, a charity providing lifelong support to older people.

The new channel will talk directly to people aged over 50.

Sheena McDonald who has been working on the project for more than two years says: “People of a certain age - and I'm one of them - don't define themselves by that age but they do have particular interests and skills - and information-needs - that aren't served by TV as we know it.”

“There are actually more folk over 65 in the UK than under 16. Beetroot TV will offer them a platform,” she adds.

Poll research carried out for the Beetroot TV team by YouGov shows that 72% of people of all ages feel that older people are respected worse by younger people these days compared to 20 or 30 years ago.

The You Gov survey also showed that only 26% of 60+ people believe that the main TV channels do an excellent or good job in providing programmes that older people like to watch. And only 19% of 60+ people believe that the main TV channels do an excellent or good job in depicting older people in a fair and honest way.

Beetroot TV will operate via a website using the accessibility and natural appeal of online video to offer:
• News and information of particular relevance and interest to the 50+ generations
• Informed, authoritative reports on lifestyle, personal finance and health.
• Feature-programmes that will engage and entertain.

Programmes from Beetroot TV will be offered free to other broadcasters and websites making it widely available in different ways.

Following a period of project development funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation funding is now being sought for a 12-month pilot run, after which ongoing running-costs will be provided by a mix of sponsorship, advertising and funding.

Download Launch Briefing PDF
Download Q&As PDF

For further information contact:
Simon Gallimore sngallimore@gmail.com Tel: 07905 244 854

Notes to Editors

1. Poll Results
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 3,357 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25th August - 1st September 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

2. Beetroot TV
Beetroot TV has been developed by broadcaster Sheena Mc Donald and TV producer Simon Gallimore. Beetroot TV operates on a platform provided by Inclusive Digital Ltd.

Sheena McDonald is a highly experienced broadcaster and journalist with many credits for Channel Four and the BBC. Through her extensive work with a variety of charitable organisations she has excellent contacts among organisations working with older people.

Simon Gallimore has extensive experience as Executive Producer of broadcast programmes for a range of channels including BBC, ITV, Channel Four, Teachers TV and the Community Channel. He was launch editor of Kent TV, Vets TV, Jewel of Muscat TV and Home2Home TV.

3. Independent Age

Independent Age is a unique and growing charity: a support community for thousands of older people across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It offers a ‘helping hand from a trusted friend’, tackling older people’s poverty and loneliness by offering information, advice and friendship.
Our help varies according to the type and extent of the individual’s need. All the older people it helps receive:
• Information about benefits and other issues affecting older people
• Ongoing support from IA’s helpline and newsletters
• Membership of the Independent Age community, with the opportunity to participate in events and build friendships with other people.
For those in the very greatest need it can include even more: regular befriending and support from an Independent Age volunteer, detailed assessment and casework, practical support and even financial help in emergencies.
IA’s support lasts as long as it’s needed - in many cases, for life. IA uses the knowledge it gains from providing its services to help influence policy and practice.

4 Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is an international charitable foundation with cultural, educational, social and scientific interests. Based in Lisbon with branches in London and Paris, the Foundation is in a privileged position to support transnational work tackling contemporary issues facing Europe. The purpose of the UK Branch in London is to connect and enrich the experiences of individuals, families and communities with a special interest in supporting those who are the most disadvantaged. In 2008, the Foundation launched an initiative on ageing and social cohesion, with a number of activities developed with colleagues in Lisbon. This current initiative represents the latest development of a wide portfolio of work which we hope will contribute to a growing understanding of the impact of demographic ageing to our society.