Askam TV

A new TV station for Askam and Ireleth has been launched and is now available through the free view digital services. The station features programmes about the area and the clubs that lie at the heart of the community.
Transmitting between the hours of 5pm and 10pm six days a week, the programme controller stated that ‘we are showing a diverse number of programmes, most are factually based with the emphasis on learning, however this will be expanded as funding comes in.’
The most exciting plan is a launch of Askam’s own soap opera; based in Mabels Bakery, the newly renamed ‘Goldmine’ and the Bowling Club, it will feature local actors and storylines that reflect the nature of Askam and Ireleth life. The initial storyline concerns the crossing of Duke Street by three pensioners off for their pies before an afternoon at a bowls tournament. The cliff hanger moment will come when Mrs High steps off the curb when there are no cars to be seen. Mabel of Mabels Bakery said, ‘the idea of a soap opera based in my shop is marvellous. I will be baking a special cake for the launch night.’

Other proposed programmes include ‘Hamster Watch’, it was to be ‘Zoo Watch’, but the makers couldn’t persuade Dalton Council to swap a piece of land just off the Lots for the land containing South Lakes Wild Animal Park. Hamster Watch will feature three of the areas best known hamsters and their trials and tribulations of a working hamster. In addition and to try and bring in extra viewers, the hamster cages will each have a web cam installed and will be broadcasting 24 hours a day over the internet. There will be a twenty second delay on transmission in case of any bad language and nudity.
The channel can be seen by flicking over to channel 984 on free view, placing a sausage between the two main receiver terminals within both the box and the television, making a small paper aeroplane and balancing it on the third spoke of the aerial.
The programme controller told us that ‘once you find the channel, you will never return to the BBC or to ITV, it is that good’. The Askam Herald is interested to find out your view on the new TV station and the quality of the programmes broadcast.
Please contact us through the contact form on the home page.