News / New 60north video and radio platform launches this week
PROMOTE Shetland has launched a new video and radio platform to host stories about all aspects of life in Shetland from wildlife encounters and community events to interesting characters and local culture.
To celebrate the launch of 60north.com, a special “60 North Midsummer live” 12-hour broadcast will be streamed on Saturday (25 June). Starting at 12 noon, veteran former BBC broadcaster Tom Morton will anchor the marathon live event.
Viewers and listeners will be able to enjoy live and recorded music, interviews and guests from various locations in Shetland including Sumburgh Head, Victoria’s Tearooms in Unst and the new community audio and video suite at Market Street, Lerwick.
Pre-recorded shows from local folk and expatriate Shetlanders such as David Lewis, formerly of Original FM, will also feature.
Promote Shetland’s Andy Steven said the platform had been two years in the planning and represented a “major step for us in promoting Shetland as a destination to live, work and of course visit to enjoy the land, sea, food, culture and people – especially the music”.
“The webcams, specifically the puffin cams and aurora cams, have been a worldwide success,” Steven said. “We’ll be able to accompany those and other pictures from Shetland with music and conversation, both live and recorded, all reinforcing a positive message about the isles.”
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) invested £49,962 in the project to help support the development of initial content for 60north.com.
HIE Shetland area manager Rachel Hunter said: “Our rationale for investment was two-fold. First we want to push the boundaries of digital technology in marketing and promoting Shetland as a place to live, work, study and invest.
“Second, we are keen to support the development of the creative community in Shetland, and the 60 North platform offers a vehicle for creative people, across a range of disciplines, to collaborate and innovate.”
Steven said Promote Shetland would “provide training and a creative outlet for aspiring and established community broadcasters, DJs, producers and engineers”.
“We see this as both a fantastic marketing tool for Shetland and a great way for our creative community to connect,” he added. “Many people, especially young folk, from throughout the Shetland community are involved with us, as film makers, writers, broadcasters and photographers.”
Following the launch, Morton will initially present a two-hour music and conversation show live from Lerwick every Saturday night between 8pm and 10pm with local and visiting guests and stories from around the isles.
Pre-recorded shows, interviews and stories, plus guest playlists, will be broadcast 24 hours a day and guest presenters and co-presenters will also be involved.
- Anyone who would like to be involved, or has a playlist they wish to present or hear played out, in any music style, is encouraged to get in touch by emailing connected@60north.com.
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