Bay TV Liverpool has announced an expanded schedule of programmes, as the station marks the first anniversary of its launch on Freeview Channel 8.

Broadcasting from purpose-built studios in the city, Bay TV went live on Thursday 4th December 2014 and currently nets an average weekly audience of more than 370,000 viewers.

It is one of the five biggest in a network of 20 local stations that have taken to the air in towns and cities all over the UK in the last two years.

Preparing to mark the “birthday” with a special programme celebrating the channel’s achievements to date and looking ahead to its second year in operation, station chiefs unveiled a host of fresh programmes that will hit screens in the New Year.

The new content includes an international “blockbuster” series of biography documentaries on the lives of celebrities such as Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie. Alongside there will be further additions to local programmes with a show exploring Liverpool’s rich architectural heritage and another focusing on the city’s rich vein of culture. There are also plans in place for a dedicated “Business Hour” programme.

Bay TV CEO Chris Johnson said:

“We’re delighted with the popularity that the station is enjoying, with audience numbers increasing consistently over the past year.

“Local TV in the UK remains in its early stages. The best is yet to come and there is a lot of work to do in expanding and improving the experience for viewers.

“We are in a highly-competitive market – alongside the BBC, ITV, C4 and C5, but I’m proud to say that – thanks to the loyalty of the local audience – Liverpool has a TV station worthy of a great city and its people.

“Bay TV is different from anything that has ever been offered to viewers in the area, with a unique mix of news, sport, current affairs and entertainment shows.

“The station is now firmly embedded in the fabric of region, and we continue to strive to reflect its rich culture, unique history, vital diversity and future promise.

“Our mission is ‘Telling the Liverpool story every day’ and that is exactly what we do. The past year was tremendously exciting, particularly with the Three Queens as the landmark event in the city. Next year we will have the International Festival for Business 2106 and we are looking forward to that putting the city at the centre of the world stage.

“We not only inform and entertain but look to challenge our audience and we love to receive feedback. I’m glad to say that we’ve had mostly positive comments to date, but we always make a point of listening and learning from any constructive criticism.

“I want to underline our appreciation for the dedication displayed by our staff and the loyalty of our viewers. It is thanks to them that Bay TV has proved to be the success that it is.”

Chris Kerr, Bay TV’s director of programmes said:

“What makes our channel so special is that we offer the opportunity for everyone to engage with and to influence the nature of our programmes.

“Bay TV focuses on the people of the Liverpool city region. Many of our programmes are locally made, by and for local people.

“We invite people to get involved and to make contributions to our programmes. We welcome response from viewers and encourage suggestions on what they want to see on their screens.”

Bay TV Liverpool is on Freeview Channel 8 and Virgin Media 158 and online at www.baytvliverpool.com