Sky channel PropertyTV relaunches after moving studios to Ashford
Published: 00:05, 21 March 2016
A TV channel dedicated to home improvement shows is relaunching this week after moving its studios and headquarters to Ashford.
PropertyTV, which employs 26 people, has gained a daily viewership of 250,000 people since it launched on Sky channel 238 in June last year.
It is set to begin filming from its new studio next to Ashford International Station this week, creating three new jobs.
The channel, which had been based at sites in Covent Garden and Tunbridge Wells, has been able to expand thanks to advertising revenues from Google, BT and Property Partners.
It was founded by Tunbridge Wells entrepreneur Michael Hammond, 23, who is the youngest person in the country to hold an Ofcom licence.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be able to provide jobs to the region I grew up in, alongside being a part of a fast-growth, exciting business.
“PropertyTV has been embraced by the UK’s TV audience and so we’re attracting significant advertisers who recognise the value of working with us.
“Now that we have a studio in Ashford, we’ll be able to expand our own production capabilities – which will take the channel to a different level.”
The channel initially aired purely bought-in programmes like Sarah Beeny’s Restoration Nightmare and Never Ever Do This At Home but has now turned its attention to developing its own content as part of its long-term strategy.
It has already made programmes such as Property Panorama and Sue Elkington’s Renovation Challenge but more will be produced from the new Ashford studio, which will be sponsored by easyProperty.com.
As well as housing advertising sales staff and acting as the headquarters for the channel, the studio facilities will include a green-screen studio and editing suites.
Its founder Mr Hammond studied law at Oxford Brookes and went to Hilden Grange School in Tonbridge and Sutton Valence School in Maidstone.
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Chris Price