A family-owned television station with almost 30 years of broadcast history has made it into the new age of ‘streaming’.
Airtv International has joined Roku, one of the world’s biggest entertainment and news platforms.
Roku was recently voted ‘favourite’ streaming system, with the most streaming app options, the simplest interface and the best search.
Rodney Hearth, from Manchester, president and managing editor at Airtv, said: “This is great for us and has meant a lot of work for our ‘backroom’ boys. But we’ve got there … the station came into being almost 30 years ago when we spotted a gap in the market for a family-friendly broadcaster.
“The main TV channels were becoming punctuated with violence, foul language and sex – not to mention such a narrow playlist of pop music. Not everybody wants to listen to Agadoo or Tie a Yellow Ribbon and watch negative films and soaps.
“We were living in Spain at the time and I have a background in television, so we decided to launch our own station with good music, wholesome programming and good interesting politics.
“We did well but decided we needed to move with the times. Roku and streaming are the way ahead for us. We are a breath of fresh air.”
Airtv describes itself as Family Safe sharing arts, film, comedy, music, documentary, opinion and news.
Rodney said: “You can watch 11 exciting and educative TV channels for free and in addition more than 20,000 clips and programmes.
“We believe in free speech, and challenging up-to-the-minute news and comment.”
And controversy is always part of freedom of speech – regulars on AirTv are Peter Hitchens, Katie Hopkins, Nigel Farage and Jordan Peterson.
Ex-Fleet Street journalist Leigh G Banks, from Moston, Manchester, who does an outrageous, funny and insightful opinion programme with Rodney, Postcard – The Gentlemen Ranters – every week where they tackle racism, covid, politics – in fact anything in the news.
Leigh said: “Some of the guests on Airtv are a bit controversial and I was invited along simply because I don’t always agree with them.
“Rodney and I also see it as part of our job to puncture conspiracy theories and the fake news on social media.
“I have always been a newsman and it is good to have a platform to attack liars and cheats.”
Roku stock has soared 74% in 2020 as covid has kept people at home and streaming has taken off.
AirTV Arts: Ballet – Opera – Classical Music
AirTV Film Classics: Classics from the Silver Screen
AirTV news channels – 24hr rolling news
AirTV Entertainment: Comedy – Shows – Documentary
AirTV Jazz: Top Worldwide Artists
AirTV Total Music: All Genres and some Surprises.
AirTV Opinion: Challenging up to the Minute Commentary on Today’s Headlines
AirTV First Amendment – moral spiritual and social issues.
Christian Concern Channel – Real Church For Everyone.
AirTV Country: Sad to make you Happy
Get the AirTVinternational app at playstore
#rodneyhearth #leighgbanks #postcard #airtvinternational #covid #lockdown #trump #boris
I watch you and Rodney regularly on your thought-provoking weekly conversation, Postcard, about all the important and controversial aspects of life – and with differing opinions, pulling no punches and managing to make it a time for polishing off the brain-fog and exercising the chuckle-muscles.