TV company goes into administration

LIVERPOOL-based Bay TV has gone into administration, but looks likely to be sold.

Letters from administrators Refresh Recovery were sent to the company’s 16 staff today, said The Liverpool Echo.

They said that Bay TV, which runs from premises in Toxteth, would continue operating while the situation is assessed.

The demise of the company follows a cash boost from another operator, Made TV earlier this year, into broadcaster.

Bay TV chief executive Chris Johnson, confirming the company had gone into administration, said: “We are working hard with the administrators to keep the business operating as a going concern.

“I am confident that the station will remain on air – it’s still on air and will remain on air.

“We’re looking to sell it as a going concern.”

In the letter to staff, administrator Gordon Craig said: “It is my intention for the time being, as administrator of the company, to permit the company to continue to trade whilst I assess the situation.”

Bay TV was launched after former Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced plans in 2011 for a largely privately-funded network of local TV stations to be kickstarted across the UK.

Up to £40m of BBC licence fee cash was put forward to help fund local TV in the first three years. Some £25m went on the broadcasting infrastructure and £5m was used to subsidise programming.

Refresh Recovery were unavailable for comment.