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Ten Alps, the online broadcaster and publisher that counts Bob Geldof among its biggest shareholders, hopes this week's Digital Britain report will open up opportunities.
Chief executive Alex Connock expects to bid for public-sector local news contracts if, as expected, they are put out to tender. Companies like Ten Alps believe they can fill the gaps left by ITV as it reduces its local news coverage to cut costs.
Ten Alps already runs two local TV channels online for Kent and Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. It is launching Newton TV, a science channel backed by the Open University, the Science Museum and the Royal Institution, and also plans to launch Accountancy TV.
But Connock remains cautious: "The new financial year has commenced with a decent order book. However, it is too early to assume strong organic growth from existing customers. So this year we intend to continue migrating online, targeting further margin benefits and growth opportunities."
Ten Alps' revenues slipped 1.5% to £80.2 million in the year to end-March with pre-tax profits up 5% at £3.3 million. The company does not pay dividends.
