The pioneers

I grew up in an era where televisions were not commonplace and even when they became more so, the picture was in black and white and you had to turn the set on in advance to let it warm up before you could watch anything. There were not hundreds of channels, nor giant satellite dishes fixed to people's homes. None of this HD, 3D glasses-wearing, flat-screen magic.

It's hard enough to keep up with changing technology as it is. And then I got a letter from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport letting me know that Edmonton is included in the group of pioneer towns and cities to receive their own local television service.

Now, forgive me for being behind the times a bit here but I thought that local TV was the regional news and weather bit that follows on from the national broadcasts of the same nature. It appears though, that it's way more than that.

The letter talks of a service similar to local radio stations or local newspapers and mentions opportunities for local organisations, educational institutions and business to get involved in producing the "targeted and relevant" content. And the bit that caught my eye in particular is where it says it will support local democracy. If that's the case, sign me up!

People of Edmonton: we are to be the pioneers of local television! But first can we be the pioneers of figuring out what it all means? Answers in the comments below please, or on a postcard if you're more attuned with the black and white TV days.