River TV 24 will kick off at 7pm on launch day as a YouTube stream, offering viewers non-stop programming around the clock.
The channel was created and will be run by Michael Costello, who also runs a community radio show on One FM called River Allsorts.
Mr Costello said it is a dream he has wanted to achieve for a while, and he is excited about the launch on his birthday.
“I have always wanted to try and make a local TV channel, it’s been an objective that I’ve had for a while,” he said.
“I’m excited about the whole idea and to finally get it going, and the launch day happens to land on my 50th birthday, so it’s a significant date for me."
In the first few weeks, the content will be a mixture of Melbourne-based community TV programmes, with some live coverage of Moama Cricket and Dragon City Roller Derby in Bendigo, as well as local and national community service announcements.
Some content from the ‘6 News’ YouTube channel, a show that presents daily news from a youth’s perspective, will also air on the channel.
Mr Costello said the Melbourne programmes will act as fillers for now until the local community begins to provide content relevant to the Echuca-Moama area.
“We’re hoping to get content curated locally; I will also be trying to create some local content, but I am trying to find some people to help that along,” he said.
“I’m worried people might be turned off by all the Melbourne stuff initially, but it’s just there to show the concept works, and once people see it works, I hope they get involved.”
River TV 24 is set to spotlight the local area through ads, station IDs, and snaps from local photographers.
There will also be opportunities for sponsorship by local businesses through short advertisements or long-form infomercials.
More information on the channel and its launch can be found on https://24.rivertv.net
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