NETV

NETV (formally known as tv ne and Emoa North East) is the Network Six regional franchisee for North East England and has been in operation since 15 April 2006. It is based in the Cheviot Studios, Newcastle, with various news gathering centres around the region.

History
NETV (as Emoa North East) was formed when Emoa Television came to a deal with CoastPark Plc which enabled Emoa to sell its assets in the Borders area (Emoa Borders) to CoastPark, in return of which Emoa would gain control of the North East franchise. The resulting company was named Emoa North East, and began broadcasting five hours after it ceased in the Borders; 5AM on the morning of 15 April 2006.

Emoa North East initially leased production facilities whilst the Cheviot Studios were being errected, including an array of portacabins in the studios' car park.

NETV's original presentation design was identical to that of its previous Borders existence, with the exception of the word "North East" superimposed under the Emoa logo. The company persuaded many ex-staff from Emoa Borders to move to the North East, however many were offered other jobs within the network, including TVB.

Up until 22 May 2006, Emoa North East had its regional name placed on every ident (except overnight on weekends, which was simulcast from Mercia Weekend Television). However, the network made the decision to close Mercia Weekend Television, and so offered Emoa a second full-time franchise in Scotland. To tie in with the new Scottish region (tv gael), Emoa North East re-branded to tv ne on that date with a new look. However controversially, non-local idents were now branded as simply "emoa", as NETV had to simulcast with tv gael due to staffing problems. It also removed its permanent DOG on that day, however it was retained for within the NETV Tonight regional news programme as a method of regional identification.



In August 2006, tv ne once again began producing local continuity between the hours of 10am and 10pm with l "tv ne" dual branding, however regional idents featured a local landscape as opposed to the Emoa corporate "star" branding creating a messy ident with trio-branding. Possibly due to its larger influence, tv ne placed stronger emphasis on the Emoa name over its own regional brand.

Throughout October 2006, tv ne removed most references to the regional brand, and on October 25, completely removed the name from its idents. They re-appeared breifly prior to regional programmes, however tv ne chief, Mike Parsons, stated that "the Emoa brand had far better local recognition than tv ne" and that the "dual branded idents lead to brand confusion and lack of supporting recognition".

By September 2006, tv ne agreed with sister Emoa region, tv gael, that the trio-branded presentation and continuity was deteriorating and confusing. Emoa came to the conclusion that regional brands were superior to various "brand levels". Through various agreements, it was decided the two regional brands would be replaced by "NETV" and "GTV", with the Emoa name being axed from television completely, including the syndicated Emoa Overnight Service, which would be re-branded simply as "Six". Additionally, regional continuity would be extended from 9.25am through to 11pm. A new graphical design was unveiled, produced by tv ne, which was customisable to both region's identities. Both regions showcased it at 9.25am on 1 November 2006. The Emoa name however is retained on-air through Emoa Productions, and additionally all web URL's provided in both regions are based on the www.emoa.tv domain.

On 1 October 2007, 11 months after the previous package was introduced, NETV refreshed its identity using idents themed around 'elements' with the common usage of a dashed 'trail', appearing in random notions across the screen and encircling the NETV logo. In early 2009, these were again replaced with a total re-brand of the station, ditching the 2006 lowercase logo for a slim-Helvetica capitalised font, whilst retaining the corporate purple brand colour.

Radio
NETV is integrated with radio station LNER, sharing newsgathering and studio facilities. Programming for both is advertised on each platform, and TV-Radio simulcasts/programe integration have been demonstrated.

Departments and Sub-companies
Sub-departments and areas of NETV:
 * NETV Programming, Playout and Presentation (PPP) - general operation of the TV channel NETV.
 * NETV Operations - all forms of local communication, local integration, management and devolved finances.
 * NETV North - sub-regional news service of NETV, providing localised news and advertising from the Chatton and Pontop Pike transmission areas. Based in Cheviot Studios, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
 * NETV South - sub-regional news service of NETV, providing localised news and advertising from the Bilsdale transmission area. Based in Middlesbrough Centre, Middlesbrough.
 * NETV News - News gathering operation, organising news items, presentation, staffing, playout and technicalities of the two sub-regional news magazines. It also publishes the NETV News local website.
 * Emoa Performance - body responsible for the representation of Emoa Television, Emoa Productions and NETV with other UK broadcasters. Previously an incorporated area of Emoa Television directly and was responsible for all Emoa companies. UK sales and affairs became devolved to NETV when both GTV and Neptune took control of their own UK sales and communication. Emoa Productions is represented by Emoa Performance under mutual consent by GTV "until further notice".

Joint ventures

 * Emoa Regional Channels - co-operated with Mercia and GTV, organising local operations, sharing of resources and programme scheduling.
 * Emoa and NETV - co-operated with Emoa Television, Neptune Television and Emoa Productions. Organises control and access of the Cheviot Studios complex between the four companies. The brand is seen throughout the complex on signage, and is the legal leaseholder.
 * Emoa Productions - Legally a joint venture between NETV and GTV, although has its own management team and company agenda. Both NETV and GTV have authority over its usage of their studio resources, and the programmes it is commissioned to produce for Network Six and NETV/GTV.
 * ESS - joint venture between NETV and GTV. Operates overnight syndicated programmes between the two channels, and is currently broadcast by NETV in its Newcastle base.

All financial, technical, international, licencing and corporate assets are held by parent Emoa Television.

NETV North

 * Newcastle - Cheviot Studios
 * Durham - newsgathering office
 * Berwick upon Tweed - newsgathering office

NETV South

 * Middlesbrough - Middlesbrough Centre
 * Harrogate - newsgathering office
 * Bishop Aukland - newsgathering office

Subregions
NETV operates two subregions:
 * NETV North: Northern news operation - broadcast from the Pontop Pike and Chatton transmitters and relays. Produced in the Cheviot Studios, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
 * NETV South: Southern news operation - broadcast from the Bilsdale transmitter and associated relays. Produced in the Middlesbrough Centre, Middlesbrough.

The main regional news programme for the region is named NETV Tonight.

Franchise renewal
NETV secured its licence to broadcast in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 franchise rounds, from competition from Three Rivers, NEN and Gemshire respectively.

Associated services
NETV's DTT multiplex is engineered as follows:

A. NETV B. SSN C. NETV +1 D. NETV Breeze (tbc) 1. Six News Channel 2. Arena 3. Six Mix 4. Sci-Tech 5. Chart Show TV (6am-6pm) / Flaunt (Thursday-Saturday 6pm-6am) / The Vault (Sunday-Wednesday 6pm-6am) 0. Six Text 0. LNER / Vibra (tbc)