Viewers have been able to watched the TV channel London Live through the likes of Sky, Freeview and Virgin Media for years but it’s set to close down later this weekend
A long-running TV channel aired its final news programme this week ahead of it closing down.
London Live launched in 2014 and has served the London region over the last decade. It was announced recently that the channel – broadcast through Sky, Freeview and Virgin Media – will no longer air from Monday next week, after having reportedly been taken over by new owners.
A range of content has been broadcast on the TV channel alongside its flagship news programme, which concluded on Thursday. Presenter Helena Wadia shared a message for viewers as she signed off in the final show that evening.
She said: “Well, that’s it! After ten years this is our final ever London Live News at 6 show. We want to thank you for watching today and over the last decade. It’s been a pleasure to bring you the local news from across London every week.
“To ever musician, actor or artist who got their first TV break on London Live, we’re so happy to have played a small part in your journey. To everyone who came and spoke passionately about a topic, fundraiser or charity close to their heart, we’re so glad to have provided that platform.”
Helena encouraged viewers to support local news as she ended the message. She said: “For now, all that’s left to say is, from me and the entire London Live news team, have a lovely evening and wherever you can, keep supporting local news.”
Following the episode, the channel’s account on Instagram posted about the occasion. Alongside a photo of colleagues, it read: “Tonight was the final London Live News at 6 programme. Thank you to everyone that supported us over the last 10 years.”
It prompted reaction in the comments section, with TV presenter Anthea Turner writing: “So sad – but you’ve all learnt so much and will never forget your time there.” Whilst Good Morning Britain producer Funmi Olutoye wrote: “The famous breakfast bar! Sad to see London Live go.”
One fan said: “So sorry to see you go guys.” Another said: “Wishing the team the very best.” A third viewer reacted; “Sorry to see you go. Best of luck to you.” Whilst another commented: “Big love London Live as you bow out.”
A post shared on Monday confirmed the future of London Live. It read: “We want to update our loyal followers that very sadly London Live will be closing down. The TV channel will no longer be on air from 12am on 20th January and the final news programme will be on 16th January at 6pm.”
The statement continued: “We want to thank you for following and supporting us over the last 10 years. We have loved helping to share the stories that matter in London, making sure the voices that count are heard. In our biased opinion, London is the best city in the world, made up of brilliant people. Thank you for being a part of our journey. The London Live Team.”
James Dickman, who had been the ‘lead presenter’ of the news show for three years, fronted his final episode that evening. He told viewers: “Over seven years, it’s been a privilege to inform you and at times give you a little bit of joy, I hope, every weekday evening. It’s not news to anyone that local reporting is on life support.”
He added: “The importance of stories that affect our communities and the individuals within them cannot be underestimated. […] These small stories can remind us, perhaps more acutely than things only visible in a bigger picture, of what it is to be human and what it is to believe in something bigger than yourself. Something needed now more than ever in such difficult times.”
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